Spider - greenish abdomen with two horns

[Bruce Williams]

Stockgrove Country Park, Beds. Old wooden fence separating coniferous wood (mainly Scots Pine) from meadows.

Size: ~3mm stretched out - see scale bar on first pic.

A frustrating subject as it never stopped moving - until it had hidden itself away in a crack. Help with identification appreciated as always:



Bruce

[frits_b]

I think it's Gibbaranea gibbosa.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your help frits_b.

I've since googled several good images of G. gibbosa and agree that it's a VERY close match.

Anyone know if this is a common species in the UK?

Bruce

[frits_b]

According to Roberts, G. gibbosa are widespread in England and southern Ireland; recorded from Wales and Scotland but much commoner in the southern counties of England.
I think they're a little less common in the Netherlands; I've never seen one over here yet

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for the info. Fritz.

Would I be right in thinking that this is a male? From what I've read the males are similar to the female but smaller (f=5-7mm, m=4-5) and with a smaller abdomen. Also the abdominal nodes are apparently more forward facing on the male.

I rechecked the size and looked at all the pics that I took. I would say max at absolute full stretch is no more than 3.5mm so would that make this an immature specimen?

Bruce

[frits_b]

I have no experience with this species but this particular individual does not have swollen palps (yet). If it's a male, it must be quite young; even subadult individuals have noticeable enlarged palps.

[No.9 Spider]

G. Gibbosa distribution:

The Updated Distribution Maps - British Arachnological Society


No.9 Spider

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for the link No.9 Spider .

Bruce