False Widow Spiders

[sparky_o0o]

Hi - I will try to get pictures tomorrow but wondering if anyone can help identify the spiders in my garden. I am currently taking down 6yr old fencing and putting up new panels.

I'm not scared of spiders but do the usual jump like a baby if one crawls on me without me noticing I have come across about a dozen what I am thinking are a species of false widows (loads of internet image looking today) but not found one exactly the same both in pattern and assumed geographical habitat - I live in the midlands and thought that false widows were further south - The ones I have come across are black or could be very dark brown with a light brown hour glass type pattern on their back - they are quite small no more than 1cm at a guess. they have no light band round the front of the abdomin like some of the images I have seen nor does the patten match any of the others both here and on other sites (I really must try to catch one tomorrow and put my macro lens to the test) also thier mandables (not sure if that is correct terminology - the two front things by thier mouth) are quite large and have spikey hairs - maybe I was looking at one sex which had these as larger.

Anyway I have two more sides of the garden to do and also a shed of the same age to take down and I really don't want any nasty surprises .

Thanks in anticipation

Mark

[naturegirl]

I think you may have found Steatoda grossa, sometimes referred to as False widow spider or Basement spider.

S. nobilis (the False widow spider) has not reached that far North yet, it has only just reached me and I'm in the South East. It has been slowly moving east from Dorset and it's taken about 10 years to reach this far.

I would wear gloves when removing your fence panels if I were you. Splinters or spiders may cause small wounds so best to be safe is my philosophy!!

Males have enlarged palps at this time of year and they are seeking females, which is why we now find the large Tegenerias wandering round our homes and scaring us, well, some of us anyway!!

I'm sure that Venger or Spiderno9 will be able to more id your spiders. Hope this has helped.

PS. Welcome to WAB!

Naturegirl

[sparky_o0o]

I will catch one tomorrow & get a few pics - took a close look at one today and it has all the markings of S. Nobilis light coloured band around the abdomen and light coloured patten on the back, but then again so does S. Grossa - will leave the identification to someone who knows, I freely admit they all look the same to me. Could not find the big one than made me think of checking the net, and the little so and so,s are a bit fast but they are all still on the fence panels I have taken down.

I have done a lot of work down south and many a time while opening external cabinets and junction boxes thought I don't like the look of those spiders and at least I now know why

[naturegirl]

Spiders are not actually after us, we are not their prey (Quote Venger) and they really do not want to waste their venom (if they have any) on us.

They will only bite in self defense such as being squished accidentally or if they feel threatened (IE being picked up).

Observe them, note their beauty and leave them alone, they do a lot of good in this world of ours.

Naturegirl

[sparky_o0o]

Naturegirl - don't worry I'm not a "squisher" - it was only my close proximity and destroying thier habitat that made me curious, that and two young girls who like to help out and have a habit of poking things

[naturegirl]

I'm sure you are a good guy!!

Good on you!!

Naturegirl

[ragweed222]

recently i found a spider in our gas metre box she was like a false widow but pure shiny black no white or brown markings at all could any one tell me what this was

[No.9 Spider]

Always worth checking out images of Nuctenea umbratica when talking fences.



No.9 Spider