Spider ID please

[Widget]

This spider has been hiding in our bathroom behind the bath for a week or so. Last night I managed to get a quick snap of him so does anyone have any idea what type it is? I'd really like to know! I would guess it is about 1.5-2cm but I can't tell you much more than that because I haven't had a good look at him.

[John_M]

Hi Widget, that looks like it's probably a female Steatoda bipunctata, one of the false widow spiders. I live in Cornwall too, and there are a lot of them about. 15mm is a bit big for that species though, unless you're counting the legs as well. Spider sizes are usually quoted from the fangs at the front, to the spinners at the back of the abdomen; S. bipunctata would be in the order of 5-7mm for an adult female. If yours is larger than that, it may well be S. nobilis. Hopefully one of WAB's spider experts will be able to tell you more.
Despite the false widow name, they're pretty innocuous animals, unless you're a prey species. Please bear in mind that this is not a 100% ID, as it's usually necessary to see the palps or epigyne under a scope to do that.

[faz]

hi yes a false widow im in south devon not far torquay we have lots of them here underside of my compst bin and water butts seems poular