2 spiders to id

[Jitty]

Folks,
I wonder if any one can help id these 2 spiders which were in a friend's garage. The first one (2 pictures) had a shamble of a web, under a window sill, with a 'tunnel' in the middle of it. The other that is shown wrapping the fly, was hanging from the ceiling.

I'm not sure of the sizes, but one is shown with a greenfly for comparison.

I'm really frightened of spiders but I'm trying to learn more to help me over this stupid fear, so any information would be gratefully received.

Thanks everyone.
Janet

[Geoff F]

I would suggest one with a tunnel web might be a Tegenaria species. But that is a suggestion not a positive ID. There are several similar looking versions of Tegenaria which are often found in houses and outbuildings so I can't offer a more detailed ID.

Harmless and fascinating creatures which eat a lot of pests. You might not grow to love them but, in most cases, they are worth tolerating.

[serendipity]

Some good pics there jitty

[Geoff F]

Due the the apparent shortage of spider experts at the moment, I will have another wild stab at the other spider. Once again, based chiefly on location and web design.

Try Oecobius navus, but at 2-3 mm this might be too small although the colouration is similar. But it will be difficult to get a positive ID from that angle.

[Jason Green]

If you'd like the fly ID'd too, it may be worth looking up an Anthomyiidae sp. It beats having normal houseflies in there!! Well, it's a change from the norm I suppose!!

[No.9 Spider]

Hi Geoff, I think Oecobius navus is going to be a bit wide of the mark. The only record of this species, according to Roberts, is in the Natural History Museum, London and I don't think the BAS Recording System lists it?
As this species is fairly distinct, from the photo I'd be happy to discount it.
On the other hand, the species in the photo could be any number of species and from the details I can see I'd have to say I couldn't hazard even a ball park guess!


No.9 Spider

[Geoff F]

At last, an expert.

Checking back, I see that the Oecobis navus distribution information is on another page so I missed it.

I had a think about indoor spiders with a rather untidy looking web and, more or less, discounted everything that I thought about. But I suspose at this time of the year many outdoor specimens will come into a garage.

How about the suggested ID for the other spider. Is that a bit closer?

[dmclean2]

Hi Jitty,
The last pic was a good one to help you ID the Genus, a head on shot like that gives you the eye set, here is a web site for you, save it to bookmark or your equivalent, check out the set of the spiders eyes,

Spinnen van België - Araignées de Belgique - Spiders of Belgium
Cheers,
Duncan

[naturegirl]

Hi Jitty and a very warm welcome to WAB!!

I too, have always been absolutely terrified of spiders..........

With the help and support of our spider experts on here, I have been able to overcome my fear and have actually developed an interest in this species!!!

I hope that you too, can overcome this fear and be able to appreciate the beauty of spiders in their large diversity!

Naturegirl

[Venger]

Whoops nearly missed this one
For your first picture - with the large white splash in front of the spinners I'd say its a Theridion sp, though I'd really need a top down view.

Your second is a Tegenaria sp.