Spider Identification

[Lozzer]

I have taken a very good photograph of a spider in my conservatory (yesterday) which I have never seen before.

I want someone to identify it. It appears I am unable to upload it on this forum. Can anyone suggest a way to get it identified?

[Action_Man]

Hi and welcome to the WAB forums.

Try the link below to upload your photographs ...

Login - Wild About Britain Pics

[Geoff F]

We used to have an 'idiot's guide' to uploading that gave clear step by step instructions but I can't seem to find it any more.

However if you are new to this, Lozzer, I would suggest that you first have a look through the FAQ sections to get a bit of background help Frequently Asked Questions | Wild About Britain

Also have a look at the WAB Site Forum Technical Issues page where this has been discussed in great detail http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...-pictures.html

Take a look at a few of the other questions there as well.

But basically you just need a clear jpg photo around 800 to 1200 pixels wide. Use the link given by Action Man or go to Gallery and click Upload from the right hand side of the heading. Choose the Blue Image Archive option. Either way, select a suitable category (unidentified invertebrates). Choose and link to your photo. Add an identification name, anything will do eg. 'Lozzer's unknown spider' and Upload. The photo will be added to your personal library space.

An alternative way of getting the photo from your Gallery section to your post is by clicking the link on the left 'Image Library' in blue. This goes to your personal storage library; click on the required image and close the link. Your photo will be automatically attached.

Good quality images for the Reference Gallery need correct labelling, but more about this later.

I know it does sound a bit complicated here but in reality it isn't as bad as it looks at first. I'm totally useless at all aspects of internet stuff and I managed to work it out (eventually).

So if you still get lost just shout for more directions.

Geoff.

[Lozzer]

Thanks to those who responded re uploading my photo. I believe I have now uploaded it.
Is anyone able to identify this spider?

[Gerel]

Hi Lozzer

I think that's the Woodlouse Spider - Dysdera crocata, and a really good picture.

Steve

[Venger]

@Lozzer - when you ask for spider ID's is very useful if you provide:

1: The size (excluding legs) on spiders with large jaws like this, to the front of the body.
2: Location - where you found it in the UK
3: Habitat, and anything you think that could help (egg sacs, web etc)

Anyway - to the spider

Yes looks like a Dysdera crocata, if you look closely on leg IV femur you can just make out 2 spines.

[naturegirl]

As Venger says this is the Woodlous Spider, you can tell this by it's red-fore-legs and you don''t want to get bitten by this spider!

Naturegirl

[len74]

I have been scouring the internet all day looking for an identification for one of these. I have found two in the hallway in my house in the last 6 months - both dead the most recent, this morning, which looked like it had tried to eject it's innards out of it's rear end before it died. it looked exactly like the pic posted above and was about 1cm in length, dunno how big the legs were, the were curled up dead spider fashion.

- i am now thinking / worrying there might be more in the house which are still alive. When you say you don't want to be bitten by one of these things, why not? exactly how bad could it be?

I ask because my daughter is only 2 and a half and i believe small children and the elderly would suffer more from a bite than an adult would. although i am far more likely to freak out at the sight of one than she is - am very very scared of 'biders' and i have been trying really hard to get a handle on it for the sake of my daughter and have been getting very good at the old glass and piece of card routine with house spiders and such like, my mantra being 'it's more scared of me than i am of it and it is unlikely to hurt me' , although now i'm not so sure.

BTW - we live in Rhyl, North Wales.

[Wild-Woman]

I wouldn't get worried over these spiders. Are you sure the corpses weren't walked in on a shoe? I've only ever found them under logs, flowerpots and damp places where there are plenty of woodlice.
It is also very difficult to determine the species of a spider and some can look very 'alike' but aren't related.
The bite (although I've never experienced one) would be a warning if handled and I expect our spider experts will explain that most spider venom in this country although painful, is harmless unless a person is hyper-allergic.

[len74]

thank you wild woman for reassuring words of wisdom. have had a thorough look through hallway and cannot find any more orangy red spiders with scary looking mouth parts