Funnel Web spider??

Cheryl · #1 (**permalink**) 28-06-2009, 05:08 PM

I saw this spider earlier today sitting outside its' web - I've only ever seen them inside their webs before.

I'm assuming it is a funnelweb spider? I've always thought of them as that, except I've just been googling them and maybe it is a Labyrinth spider?

Many thanks

No.9 Spider · #2 (**permalink**) 28-06-2009, 06:39 PM

Yes it looks like Agelena labyrinthica - the Labyrinth spider. Where abouts are you, out of curiousity?

No.9 Spider

Cheryl · #3 (**permalink**) 28-06-2009, 07:16 PM

Hi No 9 - I'm on the Surrey Hampshire borders. I spotted this spider and was considering moving the blade of grass to try and and get a better picture when it obviously ready my mind and scurried back to its web.

I know very little about spiders

and I've not heard of Labyrinth spiders before so thank you very much for your ID

Are they the same as Funnel Web Spiders?

When I googled it I found a site which stated that there were no Funnel Web spider in the UK - I realise that Funnel Web spiders are in countries like Australia and can bite so I'm wondering whether here in the UK is "Funnel Web" just a loose terminology based on their web shape

Sorry if these are really stupid question but if I don't ask I won't know

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 28-06-2009, 08:29 PM

There are quite a few common names for many spiders and the term 'funnel shapped' is sometimes used to describe a web, which helps in identification.

Certainly looks like A. labyrinthica to me. I am seeing a lot of them on gorse alongside the S. Devon coast path now. Difficult to photograph well as, like you remark, they run into the back of their web as you approach.