sorry need help with identity

lesleysanderson · #1 (**permalink**) 27-12-2009, 06:56 PM

Went into my shed earlier today and found a very tiny (pea size) black spider (very shiny) with red markings on its back. Only thing I can describe the markings as is butterfly shaped but sharp edges. I tried to take a pic this eveing but the flash is reflecting the abdomen as all red when its not all red

I cant find much on the net about it and dont know if I should be concerned or not with having a young child around.

On another note I also found a dormant bee and a monster sized spider that ran and hid from me under some old carpet (which by the way I will not be touching lol).

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 27-12-2009, 07:05 PM

Hi Lesley, and welcome to WAB!

Please upload the spider photo, images people think are poor are often still helpful even as just a guide. There are very few spiders in the UK that can bite us (...only in self-defense, too!), so all I'd say is treat it with the same respect you would any spider!

You can report the bee to BWARS - Winter Bumblebees in Britain - who are interested in winter-active species. Do you know what type it was? A photo would be good if you have one!

The large spider you spoke of sounds like a House Spider, or at least a relative - there are very few of our 640+ British species active at this time of year.

Take care,

Jason

lesleysanderson · #3 (**permalink**) 27-12-2009, 07:11 PM

yeah Ive just looked up the big one which seems to be a house spider although I think I would poop my pants if it came in the house lol! Will go to pc just now and upload the photo hopefully it might be of some help

lesleysanderson · #4 (**permalink**) 27-12-2009, 07:26 PM

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 27-12-2009, 07:50 PM

Well... I'm still not certain! Given there are few active species at this time, I will say it is possibly - but certainly not conclusively - a False Widow spider. They are active still, can show red on the abdomen (...though I think here it is in higher contrast due to the flash), and hold the web like that. They will seek sheltered areas too.

As I said, they can nip - but only in self-defense

lesleysanderson · #6 (**permalink**) 27-12-2009, 08:02 PM

thanks for that I thought it might have been. I know the picture isnt great like I said it seemed to flash up all red on the body rather than showing the pattern, I'll try to get a better picture in the morning if its still there. Hopefully it wont nip me but we do have to have a clear out of the shed sometime soon

so eyes peeled I think. But to be honest Im more wary of the house spider "beast" that currently lives in there! Wildlife at its best though, wouldnt harm them