Thursley Common Spider for ID

WhiskyBottle · #1 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 06:29 AM

Taken at the WAB meeting back in the summer.

Thanks

Ukwildlifeo · #2 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 06:39 AM

Its a labyrinth spider

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Its a labyrinth spider

Agree, Agalena labrynthica.

RobAtkinson · #4 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 05:06 PM

I've never even heard of Labyrinth Spiders. Are they common?

Ukwildlifeo · #5 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobAtkinson

I've never even heard of Labyrinth Spiders. Are they common?

They seem to be here in Essex and on Thursley around July + August. They spin horizontal webs in bushes and long grass/scrub which lead to a tube in which the spider sits.

Wild-Woman · #6 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 05:30 PM

And if you tickle their web with a bit of grass (Neil's trick that he showed me) the spider dashes out incase it's a nice juicy fly and dashes back in, which is great when you've got a group you're leading, because you can tell them you've got the spider especially trained!! I did it last summer and the kids loved it!

RobAtkinson · #7 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

They seem to be here in Essex and on Thursley around July + August. They spin horizontal webs in bushes and long grass/scrub which lead to a tube in which the spider sits.

Thanks im still a noob when it comes to spiders so I learn something new everyday.

John_M · #8 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobAtkinson

I've never even heard of Labyrinth Spiders. Are they common?

Agelina labyrinthica is quite a common spider in the South, but not so common further North
NBN Gateway: Labyrinth Spider (Agelena labyrinthica) grid map

WhiskyBottle · #9 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 06:27 AM

Thanks for all the info folks

PMG · #10 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 06:48 AM

I took some recently too - I got lucky and found a web where the male was present too - apparently they live together for a few weeks at mating time (whether he makes it 'out of the house' alive at the end of the cohabitation is another matter I feel!!! Maybe he sneaks off one morning while all her 8 eyes are closed ......... )

I've found them quite a lot on Anglesey around Newborough Warren and as Jules says if you touch the web lightly she will rush to the entrance - you can 'reward' with a dead fly if you have one

Pauline