Four ID queries.

[Gerel]

Hi,

starting with the easy one, I'm pretty sure that this beauty is Nuctenea umbratica. 10mm + in length and found hiding under bark on a dead tree.



I'm really confused by this one. Approx 8 - 10mm looks like an Orb-web in general shape but I can't find anything with similar markings. wondered about Zygiella because of the look of the cephalothorax but it's a complete guess.



I think this could be a female Trochosa sp.



And I haven't a clue about this little chap (c. 5mm).



Thanks for looking,

Steve

[frits_b]

1: I agree with N. umbratica
2: Metellina merianae. They make their webs near the entrances of holes/caves, etc.
3: Trochosa looks okay
4: One would be tempted to immediately look into the Linyphiidae family, but maybe you should check out the Robertus genus, Theridiidae. Most Linyphiids have plenty of spines; this one doesn't seem to, that's what triggered me. If it turns out to be a Linyphiid anyway, all hope is lost ;-)

[Gerel]

Thanks frits_b,

The Metallina must have been lost because she was underneath a small piece if wood on a river bank, nowhere near any caves.

To be honest, I didn't think that an ID for the last one would be very likely, not from a solitary photo.

regards


Steve

[Geoff F]

Meta merianae like damp and darkish places but they aren't so totally dark reliant as M. menardi.

I have found M. merianae in a damp mature oak wood, beside an estuary, and even had one living under the staging in my greenhouse. It hid away during the day and appeared every evening.

[Gerel]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Meta merianae like damp and darkish places but they aren't so totally dark reliant as M. menardi.

I have found M. merianae in a damp mature oak wood, beside an estuary, and even had one living under the staging in my greenhouse. It hid away during the day and appeared every evening.

Hi Geoff,

that sounds like a similar situation to mine, thanks. The only Meta/Metallina I'd encountered before was M. Menardi (there's a "colony" in a pile of junk in the darkest corner of one of our barns ).

Steve