ID : Money Spider (Walckenaeria acuminata).

[Andrew C]

Hello,

This spider was found in the moth trap this morning and is often seen around the house but I would like to ask for confirmation that it is Walckenaeria acuminata or are there other species to consider?

Regards,
Andrew.

[frits_b]

There are about thirty other species to consider. Remember, it's a Linyphiid ;-)

It doesn't look like W. acuminata to me. To be sure, take a closeup from the side, so you can get a good view of the head shape. The eyes should be on a clearly visible protuberance. From above it's difficult to see. Even if it has this protuberance, there are multiple options, which can be eliminated only by examination of the epigyne (if it's adult).

[Andrew C]

Originally Posted by frits_b

There are about thirty other species to consider. Remember, it's a Linyphiid ;-)

It doesn't look like W. acuminata to me. To be sure, take a closeup from the side, so you can get a good view of the head shape. The eyes should be on a clearly visible protuberance. From above it's difficult to see. Even if it has this protuberance, there are multiple options, which can be eliminated only by examination of the epigyne (if it's adult).

Hello Frits,

Thanks for coming in on this one. I have had another look and there is no protuberance so obviously it is back to the drawing board. It is a different species altogether. I shall have another crack at it.

Regards,
Andrew.

[No.9 Spider]

You'll struggle for an i.d. with this one, as W. acuminata is so distinct and as frits says there are numerous species in the Linyphiidae that resemble this, probably nearer 100. It's a microscope job I'm afraid.

[Andrew C]

Evening,

I managed to have another look at it under a cheap 30x pocket microscope and there is certainly no protuberances for the eyes.

Possibly a youngster of a different species.

Regards,
Andrew.