Bright eyed spider

[Rossco]

If you're interested Bruce and if you have the Collins Field Guide to Spiders by Michael J. Roberts, he suggests a simple little devices for aiding the identification of spiders without killing them. He calls it a 'spi-pot' and you use it in conjunction with a beefy hand-lens or a field microscope. Take a look if you have a chance.

Ross

[Rossco]

Sorry, Bruce, if you have the book the thing I mentioned is on page 33.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your help Rossco.

Yes I've got the Collins guide book and have just sped read through the section on Identifying Spiders in the Field - interesting idea - I'll read it again more carefully later.

To be honest I don't find the illustrations easy to use as a quick guide - in a large part I think due to the variability of individuals within a species. Anyway I took a look at Pardosa and I can see why it's such a problem id'ing to species level (even genus).

Thanks again,
Bruce