Spider ID (False Widow, Steatoda Nobilis?)

spottytiger · #1 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 10:41 AM

I found this spider in my conservatory this morning and feel that it may be the False Widow, Steatoda Nobilis, could anyone please confirm and is there any advise for what I should do with it? Thanks.

epops · #2 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 10:51 AM

looks like a garden spider to me i maybe wrong though

wildherbalian85 · #3 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 11:15 AM

Yes it is a steatoda nobilis.

spottytiger · #4 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 02:16 PM

The adult spider has moved but I took a photo of this young one no more than 6mm across the legs and 3mm from head to tail of the abdomem, there are several other young spiders around the conservatory.

naturegirl · #5 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 01:17 AM

Can I ask, what area are you in?

This information helps with the tracking of how this spider is/spreading has/spread.

We know that this species has spread all along the south coast now but we need to keep tabs on how far north it has spread recently.

Many thanks.

Naturegirl

spottytiger · #6 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 08:58 AM

We are in a village just to the east of Lincoln, I have attached a few more pictures which are clearer as well as one of a much larger adult. There would appear to be a nest and was wondering what I should do with them?

Entorien_Scriber · #7 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 10:08 AM

The advice I give is a little dependant upon the situation. If you are allergic to the venom,then you should have them removed. Sadly, most people simply have them killed.

Despite their awful reputation, this is not an aggressive spider, they will happily live alongside you. Most bite stories, if you look at them closely, happen when someone has disturbed the spider.

I found a very large female in my garden some weeks ago, (I'm in Hamworthy in Dorset, sor anyone who wants to note the spread of this species), and I simply scooped her up in a glass. She was found among some brickwork and might have been hurt or killed by our DIY, so I moved her. She was beautiful, very calm, and was released into a different part of the garden.

As long as you're happy with them, you can capture them in a pot and deposit them at the bottom of your garden. They will most likely make new homes for themselves out there.

Whew! That ran on a bit! Hope this helps.

spottytiger · #8 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 11:53 AM

Thanks for the advice, as there are so many of them I will catch and relocate them, I would only kill them if they were classed as an introduced species that have a detrimental affect on local wildlife

Entorien_Scriber · #9 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 12:34 PM

Wonderful! I always like to see people relocating awkward spiders rather than harming them.

wildherbalian85 · #10 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spottytiger

We are in a village just to the east of Lincoln, I have attached a few more pictures which are clearer as well as one of a much larger adult. There would appear to be a nest and was wondering what I should do with them?

That is quite for north for this species

interesting,.