Unidentified spider - Northants.

[Bruce Williams]

Found growing on Laurel bush in Northants garden (17th March).

Help with identification appreciated as always.



Bruce

[dmclean2]

Hi Bruce,
I'll make a stab at the genus Theridiidae,
and go for Enoplognatha ovata, female 3-5mm
Duncan

[Jason Green]

Good choice Duncan, I thought that too.

I hate getting these wrong - - but may suggest Metellina segmentata...

[Geoff F]

Where are the experts tonight?

For what it's worth. The legs don't look long enough for Enoplognatha, particularly the rear legs; at least not to me.

I doubt Metellina but they can be very variable.

Going by the eye position and that 'horseshoe' colouration on the carapace, I am starting to think about Linyphiidae.

Any clues with this image? Web builder?

I'll have a browse until one of the spider specialists points out something obvious.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your interest guys. I didn't notice a web - but then it is quite a small spider so I may have missed it.

Bruce

[Dutchess]

Yes, where are the experts tonight? I am still hoping for an ID that sounds a bit like the one I came up with!

Venger was on a little earlier but I know work keeps him away from WAB....

[Geoff F]

OK here is a silly long shot. Immature male Araniella cucurbitina, as yet the red patches aren't fully developed.

Just an idea!

[No.9 Spider]

Looks immature and I'm rushing to off work so from a quick glance could possibly be something like Tetragnatha extensa.
I'm sure Des will be along soon. Back in a few days.




No.9 Spider

[Bruce Williams]

I'm intrigued - what's your thinking Dutchess?

Bruce

[Venger]

Going to have to go with No.9 on this, a juvenile Tetragnatha spp (could be T.extensa or T.pinicola)
Juveniles are always hard to ID.