Spider book- any book?

[arvensis]

Hi all,
I was looking the Collins book 'Spiders of Britain and Northern Europe'. Does anyone on here own this book and most importantly, is it worth buying to help with the ID of spiders?

Cheers, Mark

[henrya]

I have a copy - it's quite useful, but does mean that if you want to get into identifying spiders properly you will really need a good binocular microscope. I must admit that I bought the book full of enthusiasm, but have yet to get round to looking at spiders properly! I have used the key to families successfully on several occasions, though.

henrya

[Fourwings]

I've had a copy for a while now and totally agree with Henrya, you do need a binocular microscope as the differences between species are not as clear-cut as the book suggests, but, it is still possibly the best book currently available on British spiders.

[arvensis]

I've already got a half decent bino microscope here for my work with fungi- Does
it have much in the way of spider illustrations in the book?

Cheers, Mark

[henrya]

According to the cover, 450 species described (about two thirds of the Briitish total but some of the species in the book may not be British) and 288 colour paintings (but occasionally male and female are both shown).Over 1300 drawings, maiinly of the naughty bits which are used to identify the species.

More comprehensive (but much more expensive) is The Spiders of Great Britain and Ireland by the same author.

henrya

[arvensis]

Thanks for the reply... having seen how much that other book is, i think I'll stick to the collins book... LOL

[nightshade]

my spider book is The country life guideto spiders of britain and northen ireland **************** jones
isbn 0-600-35665-5 havnt looked at others yet

[nightshade]

FSC publications code 197 authors jones /walters 1989 £6.95
"Keys to Families of British Spiders"
I am told that this is a worthwhile purchase can anyone confirm