Confused again - immature male possibly?

Geoff F · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 06:53 PM

Trying to sort through my June unidentified files and I keep looking at this spider then putting it to one side. So it's time to ask for help from the experts.

Outside my S. Devon house. Quite big, probably 6 or 8 mm.

In some ways I think it resembles Steatoda grossa but I'm far from convinced. Possible an immature male?

The more I think about it the more confused I get - so any help appreciated.

Action_Man · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 07:57 PM

Philodromus ?

...

No.9 Spider · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 09:29 PM

Yes a mature male Philodromus sp.

No.9 Spider

wildherbalian85 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 10:07 PM

This what a steatoda looks like (different markings "grossa = 3 triangles"

I think yours looks like some kind of wolf spider

but i might be wrong

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 10:16 PM

Thanks. It certainly has the white edging of Philodromus and just going by colouration P. dispar would appear possible.

It was the slight purple sheen and being on a house wall that really confused me. But the veg garden starts 6 ft away so it all makes sense now.

Venger · #6 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 10:21 PM

Male P.dispar have a black head and abdomen, the only Philodromus sp you can ID in the field (to my knowledge)

No.9 Spider · #7 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venger

Male P.dispar have a black head and abdomen, the only Philodromus sp you can ID in the field (to my knowledge)

As Venger correctly states above, P. dispar is very distinct. You're more than likely going to be looking at P. cespitum or P. Aureolus, the males of which look iridescent in good light.

No.9 Spider

Geoff F · #8 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 06:09 PM

Thanks again. I've had another look at the suggestions and find all the possible answers appear to be a bit uncommon in the far SW, according to the recording maps.

If anything, P. collinus matches best but is even rarer. So of the possible solutions, P. aureolus seems slightly in the lead with P. collinus as a long shot.

Venger · #9 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 07:35 PM

As with several spider species, you can't tell from photos, you're going to need a microscope to get to species level.
Best to stick to Philodromus sp

Action_Man · #10 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 08:58 PM

Dont these only receive there pretty colouration on final moult ?, i had one which was a dull brown one day, and the next it was a lovely iridescent greeny purple ...