Spider id please

[Juliet1200]

Can anybody tell me what this spider is? Possibly steatoda?

There are a few of them living around bags of compost in my back garden in Derby. The biggest is probably about 8mm (including legs)

Thanks, Juliet

[aeshna5]

It is a Steatoda sp.

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Juliet,

It looks like the so-called Rabbit-hutch Spider, Steatoda bipunctata.

Reliable sizing of arachnids is from the tip of the carapace to the end of the abdomen. Unequal leg extension or perspective makes it too variable otherwise.

Take care,

Jason

[faz]

Steatoda bipunctata Rabbit Hutch Spider thats my guess
welcome to WAB

[Juliet1200]

Thanks - that looks like the chap!

I'll remember about using size excluding legs - thought I'd read somewhere that you were supposed to include legs, but it makes more sense without.

Cheers,

Juliet

[Juliet1200]

Does anybody know if these ones bite? I had one on my leg just now - I've recently recovered from having quite a bad phobia of spiders and it's still difficult sometimes. Just be interesting to know if there is actually anything to worry about with these ones!

Thanks, Juliet

[RobAtkinson1]

Like me most spiders, they will only really bite when protecting an egg sac or if they are being squashed.

[RobAtkinson1]

So essentially there isn't much to worry about.

[faz]

Originally Posted by Juliet1200

Does anybody know if these ones bite? I had one on my leg just now - I've recently recovered from having quite a bad phobia of spiders and it's still difficult sometimes. Just be interesting to know if there is actually anything to worry about with these ones!

Thanks, Juliet

all Steatoda can bite but it is harmless and it will only bite in selfdefence so nothiung to worry about it is one of the spiders commonly known as a false widow spider