Black bulbus spider

[ollyk]

Hey folks last night standing outside a small building (used by a local caving club) and noticed a small spider dangling from the doorway. The thing that struck me was its pea shaped (about 3.5 - 4mm) bulbous shiny black abdomen! Legs I would say were normal spider length, if that makes sense! It was dark so could see no markings.
Never seen anything like this before so if anyone can give me any pointers..

[No.9 Spider]

Hi Olly, unfortunately your description fits numerous possibilities and so a guess would probably not prove helpful. However you could google Steatoda as a possible. Bearing in mind the Caving Club link (is it the D.C.C. the building being at Alderley? Just wondered being an ex member) you could look at Meta/Metellina merianae though that's maybe too big.

[ollyk]

Hi No9. yes you are right about it being the DCC 'surgery' I have been attending for about 4 weeks and putting my application in to join soon!
Regards the spider, I think Steatoda Grossa looks like a good match, third piccy on the right on UK safari looks like the best match! Didn't realise we had Steatoda up North!

Olly.

[No.9 Spider]

Hi Olly, the Steatoda tend be be a synanthropic species so closely associated with humans on our travels and in our habitats.
Enjoy the D.C.C., I was a member from1985 to 2000. Many happy times underground there, also Derbyshire and Cumbria. A good crowd. You should find Meta merianae in abundance in the entrance to the mine off Artists Lane and possibly Wood Mine and Engine Vein.
Is that rubber coat hook still on the back of the surgery door upstairs?

[ollyk]

Thanks No9. Yes everyone is friendly and I have had a great time so far. I was helping them dig last night to the side of a new shaft next to balloon shaft at Engine vein - man that was hard work yet quite satisfying!!
Anyway, not seen any spiders in the mines as yet, however I saw the remains of a fruiting fungi body down there last night, growing off a bit of wood. Another more mature miner (Steve I think his name was) showed me some other fungi which were apparently searching for a new host, wood I think! Looked like veins and stalactites of web-like strands dangling from the roof!
Must take my camera down when I get a chance, and will be on the lookout for those Arachnids!
BTW is the other mine you refer to Brynlow??
Oh and I'll look for the rubber coat hook next Tuesday!

[No.9 Spider]

Yes Brynlow's the one off Artist's lane. Used to be plenty of M. merianae in the adit along with gnats! I never collected much spiderwise actually in the mine as there's little food source for them. I think I collected Lessertia dentichelis in Wood Mine once. Steve Mills will be the guy, I'm sure he lives down the mines.