ID please.....if possible

col188 · #1 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 12:35 PM

3-5mm low down on a Mock orange, underside of lea,f no web. Just the single pic as it scuttled away and was lost.

Guess at Bolyphantes luteolus, with not a shred of evidence, apart from general apperance. Struggling to id a lot of Spiders, 'cos the patterns do not match any in books I have.

I'll have to able to id basic sub-orders, to give me a guide of what species to search id for. Which at the moment apart from a few obvious ones..I can't.
.................help!

Col

Geoff F · #2 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 08:04 PM

That sounds quite possible. B. luteolus is around 4 mm body size for a female.

Stemonyphantes lineatus is similar but slightly larger. The apparently plain legs of a good length do make me think that your suggestion is the more likely though.

But wait for another opinion before conclusively labelling it.

Venger · #3 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 08:13 PM

Looks more like an Enoplognatha sp.

Start off with the whole of the spider - then look at specifics - things like eye/head shape and leg spines, that kind of thing.

You'll pick it up - just takes practice

(edit) head shape is raised for Bolyphantes (or rather domed) you cant tell from the illustration.

col188 · #4 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venger

Looks more like an Enoplognatha sp.

Start off with the whole of the spider - then look at specifics - things like eye/head shape and leg spines, that kind of thing.

You'll pick it up - just takes practice

(edit) head shape is raised for Bolyphantes (or rather domed) you cant tell from the illustration.

Spot on again Venger

90% positive for Enoplognatha ovata...... see Enoplognatha ovata photos and info
Col

rangersarah2 · #5 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 03:42 PM

Can anyone recommend a really good spider book or website. The best book that I've found so far was on Amazon, but was considered too scientific. I'm looking for lots of easy photos with basic information.

If you are an author of wildlife books there is a gap in the market................

Jason Claxton · #6 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 03:54 PM

Hi Rangersarah I have the Collins Field Guide to Spiders of Britain and Europe by Michael J.Roberts,this has colour plates,not photos,this may be as easy as it gets for spiders(which appear to be a difficult group),but if it isnt I'd like to know as well

rangersarah2 · #7 (**permalink**) 23-10-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Claxton

Hi Rangersarah I have the Collins Field Guide to Spiders of Britain and Europe by Michael J.Roberts,this has colour plates,not photos,this may be as easy as it gets for spiders(which appear to be a difficult group),but if it isnt I'd like to know as well

Thanks Jason. This is the one that a reviewer said was too scientific, but as always that's just one person's view. Do you think it's a good one for a beginner?

Jason Claxton · #8 (**permalink**) 23-10-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangersarah2

Thanks Jason. This is the one that a reviewer said was too scientific, but as always that's just one person's view. Do you think it's a good one for a beginner?

Um... with spiders I am a beginner also,yes the book does a appear somewhat scientific,but I'm resigned at the moment to thinking that it gets the job done in what is by all appearances a difficult group,this scientific approach may be a necessary and perhaps the only way for IDing these with any accuracy I fear.But if there is another way of doing this I will be glad of any info.If you have any other questions about this book though, Im happy to answer, as always.Cheers Jason

Venger · #9 (**permalink**) 23-10-2009, 04:52 PM

The simple fact is - there is no 'easy way' to ID spiders, at least not from photos. (see signature)

For many spiders you'll need to see either the palps or epigyne (sex organs) to correctly ID to species level.

While you may think the book looks 'scientific', its only because of the palp and epigyne shots - the rest is description, habitat and distribution.

It's well worth getting, even for a beginner (the initial family ID key pg 39-56 is helpful). The illustrations are clear, precise examples of said species (for the most part) and as long as you follow it up by reading the text it'll help show you the differences between species of that group.

Cross reference with other keys and/or photos and you'll be well on your way
(obviously mainly at home from a photo you've taken, unless you are starting on a collection - in which case you'll need a microscope to correctly ID them)

see link for a good listing of sites to visit

A few id Spider pics