Beautiful Orb weaver

[wildherbalian85]

Took this picture of a lovely looking spider....



i was testing my New camera out.

Which orb weaver is this plump lady??

[Geoff F]

Difficult to say 100% from that angle, but I would think that a rather pale Araneus quadratus is likely. They do vary considerably in colouration.

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Difficult to say 100% from that angle, but I would think that a rather pale Araneus quadratus is likely. They do vary considerably in colouration.

Thanks Geoff, here is a closer look at it. It does have for dots on its back.

[Geoff F]

Yes the dots are part of my thinking but we really need a view of the head area showing the carapace as well.

In some ways, the abdominal marking of a darker centre band with a white dotted line appear similar to Araneus diadematus (Garden Spider) but the large round abdomen and the rear set of black dots being wider spaced than the front two is making me think that A. quadratus is the more likely. And colouration is very variable with this species.

Variations of black dots is quite common amongst Araneus species.

I'm a total novice with spiders so perhaps somebody else can give a second opinion here as there are a couple of other possibilities.

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Yes the dots are part of my thinking but we really need a view of the head area showing the carapace as well.

In some ways, the abdominal marking of a darker centre band with a white dotted line appear similar to Araneus diadematus (Garden Spider) but the large round abdomen and the rear set of black dots being wider spaced than the front two is making me think that A. quadratus is the more likely. And colouration is very variable with this species.

Variations of black dots is quite common amongst Araneus species.

I'm a total novice with spiders so perhaps somebody else can give a second opinion here as there are a couple of other possibilities.

Hmm ok Geoff i will go outside a little later and try to get a picture of her from the front.

[Venger]

If you can get a shot of her underside that would be better (as close to the eypigyne as possible)

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Venger

If you can get a shot of her underside that would be better (as close to the eypigyne as possible)

I tried last night but unfortunately she is by the window and taking a photo of her through glass on a night time is not easy... without the flash you don't see her and with flash you can't see her properly

I will see if she is about this afternoon... she often is. If so then i will be able to get a better photo (i hope)... but either way i will not be touching her