Can you ID this curious looking spider?

[supersonic525]

Sorry for the poor quality picture: my brother found this specimen living in his skip at work (Sheffield, UK). He estimates its body length to be 10-12mm, and says is quite aggressive.

I have never seen anything like it, especially the markings and colouring.

[Venger]

Not the best photo
To my mind it looks like Nuctenea umbratica, the walnut orb weaver.
The reflections aren't helping (did he use a flash to take the shot?)


Photo by UB4 gardener
Nuctenea umbratica photos and info
Nick's Spiders - Nuctenea umbratica

Fairly common and widespread (usually nocturnal)
It's a little early but it looks (not positive) like she has an egg sac - which would make her defensive

[supersonic525]

Thanks for the reply. I have told him to get some better pics, flash off lol: I think he got the pic in a rush with his phone.

He said there is more than one egg sac nearby and some have hatched. We looked through some pics on the web and he says the closest match is the Steatoda grossa, though the markings on the walnut orb weaver spiders legs seem much closer!

I might go down myself with a better camera, intrigued by it!

[naturegirl]

It is definitely NOT S. grossa!

Listen to Venger, he really does know what he is talking about!

Last year I had a HUGE Walnut orb weaver in my garden and I'd agree with Venger on this one.

Naturegirl

[Jason Green]

Surely N. umbratica!

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Surely N. umbratica!

Agree!

[supersonic525]

Originally Posted by naturegirl

It is definitely NOT S. grossa!

Listen to Venger, he really does know what he is talking about!

Last year I had a HUGE Walnut orb weaver in my garden and I'd agree with Venger on this one.

Naturegirl

Never said it was lol, until we get some better pics we definitely don't know what it is! However it does, from that pic, seem most likely to be the walnut orb weaver.

Still waiting for him to get some better pics ;-)