I.D of spider

[Axeman]

Hi

Usually I get normal " house " spiders in the house but last night I ( technically my cat did ) found this spider.

The pictures aren't particularly good since it's just a camera phone.





It's approx 12mm to 14mm long in body , around 10mm wide in body.

It's a dark brown with light orange hairs that make it look like dark chocolate thats not in it's prime condition.

The Abdomen tapers to a blunt point and on each side of the abdomen is 3 semi circles of the pale orange colour with the peaks of the circles facing inwards. On the underside of the abdomen is 2 orange almost triangular patches with what I'd describe as a loose hypotenuse.

The back legs have 2 distinct orange bands while the front legs have narrower but 3/4 orange bands on them.

The palps look fairly long.

Where the head and abdomen join ( the pedicel?) looks very narrow and flimsy.

Think that's about all I can say.

Edit : Location is central Scotland ( if that helps)

Thanks.

[No.9 Spider]

Have a look (google) at Nuctenea umbratica and see how that compares. I can only make out a small section of a folium on the abdomen and the shape is right. Also check Larinioides sp.

.............and welcome to WAB

No.9 Spider

[Axeman]

Thanks very much , googled it and went to this website Nick's Spiders - Nuctenea umbratica I think it looks like the 3rd last picture with a slightly paler colour and smaller palps.

[No.9 Spider]

Your specimen is a female, whereas the picture on Nick's site you are referring to is a male, hence the palpal difference.


No.9 Spider