Tiny Spider for ID

hachidori · #1 (**permalink**) 18-07-2010, 12:24 PM

I have a tiny spider from a deciduous woodland, I think (after a bit of googling) that it may be a mothercare spider Theridion sisyphium, but I'm not a spider person, so need a proper ID from people who know these things... Sorry for the terrible images - taken through a bug pot!

Thanks!!

hachidori · #2 (**permalink**) 18-07-2010, 12:26 PM

should have said she's about 3mm long (body). I acquired her because I had brought some parts of plants home to identify, and she was on one of them.

I put her in a bug pot with a leaf and a dead bee that I found (until I can get her back home) and by the time I looked this morning she has suspended both the bee and the leaf in the middle of the pot and is looking quite pleased with herself.

frits_b · #3 (**permalink**) 18-07-2010, 03:02 PM

Hi,

That's a Phylloneta species (family Theridiidae), either P. sisyphia or P. impressa (which were previously considered to belong to the Theridion genus). The two species can only be distinguished by microscope.

hachidori · #4 (**permalink**) 18-07-2010, 04:59 PM

Thanks for that, but I have looked up the species on the NBN gateway, and it is not listed there. Perhaps we dont have it in the UK or it is called something different?

Sure looks like my spider though!

frits_b · #5 (**permalink**) 18-07-2010, 05:47 PM

Ah, that's probably because when the species belonged to Theridion, they were called Theridion impressum and T. sisyphium respectively...
Here are the links:
NBN Gateway - Theridion impressum and NBN Gateway - T. sisyphium