Another spider ID request :)

[tomtomtom]

Hi,

I've been looking for information on a slightly odd spider that has set itself up outside my lounge window and came across this great site - hoping someone might be able to help ID this as I've not found anything that resembles it from online searching!

Sorry about the quality of the pictures, they were taken handheld in the dark with a torch in one hand and camera in the other.

The spider itself bears some resemblance to a garden spider but seems to have more 'armour plating' and is a distinctive black with yellow colours on its back and leg, and red around the mouth parts.

Behaviour wise, it's very timid, only comes out at night and flees at loud noises and movement.

It's approximately 10 - 15mm in size and has built a very large orb weaver style web although the web is a fair bit bigger and slightly messier than the usual garden spider webs that I see.

Does anyone know what sort of spider this is? Pics below (will need to view the bigger versions to see it properly)!

[No.9 Spider]

It's Nuctenea umbratica. Nocturnal and has widely spaced lines on the orb web. Quite a 'flat' spider to enable it to conceal itself in narrow retreats.


No.9 Spider

[tomtomtom]

Thank you!

I'd seen a few pics of 'walnut orb weavers' but the ones I'd seen were nowhere near as black... thanks to your latin name, I've been able to find many more pictures which are similar.

I must try and get a better picture of mine as it's a rather nice specimin

[Meta menardi]

As you have noted, they are quite retiring, a torch will usually send them to cover. They also have eyes that reflect light, quite eerie to see little red pinpoints glaring at you.

[Venger]

Here's hoping it survives the Martian attack!