Wasp spider and an id please

[Tog]

In the first image is that really the size difference between male and female wasp spiders??

The second image, this beast was trying to kill me by climbing up my backpack and catching me unawares. I find spiders fascinating but would still class myself as a bit arachnophobic, so this guy was absoloutly trying to kill me. Anyone be able to tell me what type it is pease?

[John_M]

Your second spider looks like Pisaura mirabilis.

[Meta menardi]

The size difference is what I would expect with Argiopes sp. All the male does is carry sperm arround, why does he need to be any bigger (that makes me feel rather uncomfortable).

The second spider is a Salticid, the shape of the chephalothorax at the front is distinctive , like a vertical cliff to accomodate the powerful eyes which extend almost to the back of the head, and the tele-photo eyes are a real clue to it. Can't get much further with an ID than that.

[frits_b]

I think the second spider looks more like a wolf spider, e.g. Pardosa.

Notice the eye arrangement, and the broad light band on the carapace.

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by frits_b

I think the second spider looks more like a wolf spider, e.g. Pardosa.

Notice the eye arrangement, and the broad light band on the carapace.

I think I could go with that. Some indication of size would help.

[Tog]

Sorry for my slow reply. I was just surprised by the size difference between the two wasp spiders.

the second spider would have fit on a 1p coin legs included thats about the only reference to size i could make im afraid.

Because i was continously moving through different types of long grass, near trees and many bushes i could have picked it up anywhere along the line too so i couldnt narrow down habitat.