White Teardrop shaped spider eggcase for ID Please

[Melus]

I came across this spider eggsack on 26th June 2009. The eggsack was attached to the trunk of a silver birch tree at the Sherwood Forest NNR, Notts, in an area of pasture woodland. I've checked previous threads and my books with a negative result. Can anyone please help identify the species that made it, or point me in the right direction?



Regards
Gary

[No.9 Spider]

This is the egg-sac of an Agroeca species, from the Liocranidae family. Quite a nice find. they are often disguised with debris which makes them hard to spot. Most common of the species is Agroeca proxima, the other four species being localised or uncommon.




No.9 Spider

[Melus]

Thanks No.9 for the reply.

I've tried searching the net to see if there is a difference in the shape of the egg-sac from Agroeca proxima and Agroeca brunnea without luck.

At least now I can add a family name to the pics and file them away

Regards
Gary

[No.9 Spider]

As far as I know the egg-sacs are typical for the five Agroeca species and as I said are more often than not found with a covering of dirt. The egg-sacs are more commonly found than the actual spiders themselves.



No.9 Spider

[UB4 gardener]

we have quite a few of these around Ringwood Forest. very intricate structures they are too. it's a shame they cover them up if you ask me

Chris