Small beach spiders ID

sebastianbawn · #1 (**permalink**) 19-07-2009, 06:41 PM

Pic one was approx 2-3mm. The remaining pics are all of the same specimen and was approx 3mm. Both were found on a sea wall in Minehead. The latter specimen appears similar to a Steatoda? Also on the latter I believe the second spider in the pic may be the male counterpart? Any help appreciated

Geoff F · #2 (**permalink**) 20-07-2009, 07:47 PM

Impossible to say from those images. While the general outline would match for some Steatoda it would also fit many of their Theridiidae relatives.

And, if it is mature, the size is a bit on the small side for most Steatoda species although it would be ideal for many of the alternatives, particularly Theridion sp.

sebastianbawn · #3 (**permalink**) 20-07-2009, 08:14 PM

I must admit they seemed a bit small for Steatoda, have seen a few species and they are bigger than my estimates on this one. From my book the general outline/shape appears similar to Erigone but this is a genus I have not looked into yet, as with Theridion