Spider ID

[Nick Smith]

I was out walking today, had camera, wasn't looking for spiders but found this.



Would somebody like to ID this beauty for me please?

I got some really good photo's of her (??) too, assuming it is a female.

Thanks, Nick.

[Meta menardi]

Araneus marmoreus var. pyramidatus.

This is one of 2 colour forms, and is the most common form in this country. The other form is much less striking, and one of it's main sites is Skipwith Common, near York.

Neither of these 2 are very common.

[Nick Smith]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Araneus marmoreus var. pyramidatus.

This is one of 2 colour forms, and is the most common form in this country. The other form is much less striking, and one of it's main sites is Skipwith Common, near York.

Neither of these 2 are very common.

So a good catch then?

Thanks for ID

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Nick Smith

So a good catch then?

Thanks for ID

Certainly very nice to see. Described as "widespread... but uncommon" I wonder if I can find a pic of the other one?

[Nick Smith]

I couldn't find any images in the Gallery for this description

Araneus marmoreus var. pyramidatus.

I tried Araneus marmoreus and found nothing maybe I should upload 5 of the best images I have.

[Meta menardi]

I would certainly like to see them, the last one I saw and photoed, 1024x768 pixels was the mutt's nuts, so my photos of .., pyramidatus are not too good compared to your photos. I would say that she is heavily gravid, and will shed eggs very soon, so if you have collected her, either release to the same habitat or be prepared to cope with an egg sac that will hatch next year and need looking after.

[Nick Smith]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

I would certainly like to see them, the last one I saw and photoed, 1024x768 pixels was the mutt's nuts, so my photos of .., pyramidatus are not too good compared to your photos. I would say that she is heavily gravid, and will shed eggs very soon, so if you have collected her, either release to the same habitat or be prepared to cope with an egg sac that will hatch next year and need looking after.

It is going to take a little while for me to sort the photo's, I will post a reply when they are uploaded. I did not collect the spider, I don't collect, I am happy to view in their natural surroundings. Left her to make ready for the Winter.

[Nick Smith]

Pyramid Orb Weaver - Araneus marmoreus pyramidatus

Is this the correct name?

[Meta menardi]

The name I would submit would be

Araneus marmoreus var. pyramidatus

Note the formatting. This, I think, follows the naming conventions. The name

Araneus marmoreus is the normal binomial Genus species.

var. indicates a recognised variety but is not part of the name and so is not italicised.

pyramidatus is the name of the variety and is part of the name, so bung on the italics. I stand to be corrected on this.

If I can locate my pics of the other colour type, it will go in as Araneus marmoreus because it is the normal colour type in Europe, it is just us what is odd in having the variety as the most common.