Meadow Spider for ID please

wildlifepilgrim · #1 (**permalink**) 24-07-2009, 04:22 PM

So here is the deal, at a local school they have a meadow that they are thinking of getting rid of. To help ensure that they don’t we have been trying to identify the diversity of life found there. So far we have identified 43 species but need a little help with some of these.

To be honest, I can't quite face looking through the galleries, so wonder if anybody knows what it is. It was on a Weld plant, and had created quite a mess of several prey creatures. It is ~4mm.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 24-07-2009, 04:39 PM

It's a Linyphiidae species most likely. Not sure which one, but as a family they form about the biggest UK one I believe.

Meta menardi · #3 (**permalink**) 24-07-2009, 04:44 PM

Looks like Linyphia triangularis. A common species (very much so) but it shows a level of biodiversity.

No.9 Spider · #4 (**permalink**) 24-07-2009, 05:37 PM

Better angle of photo would be good, possibly a Theridion species, looks similar to Theridion sisyphium, and the detritus and bell shaped retreat in view looks right.

No.9 Spider

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 24-07-2009, 07:03 PM

The web looks rather Linyphiidae like. Fine horizontal webbing supported by vertical hanging threads; but this is a wide ranging family with considerable variation between individuals of the same species.

I have been trying to ID something similar for the past 2 years without any clear result after taking around a hundred photos from different angles; and every spider is marked differently. I suspect it is probably Neriene peltata which could be the same as your spider. Smaller than L. triangularis (3mm as opposed to 6mm approx).

But from that photo, there are quite a few almost identical spiders which would fit.

From my experiences of attempting to catalogue all the insect/spider life from a relatively small area over a 6 month period, you should be able to find a couple of hundred species there. And of course, what you really need is something rare!

Venger · #6 (**permalink**) 28-07-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No.9 Spider

Better angle of photo would be good, possibly a Theridion species, looks similar to Theridion sisyphium, and the detritus and bell shaped retreat in view looks right.

No.9 Spider

Actually the more I look at it, the more I agree with a Theridion sp (either T.sisyphium or T.impressum.)