Possible non native spider for ID

~T~ · #1 (**permalink**) 09-09-2011, 08:56 PM

So I'm not sure where this guy came from. I ordered some live food (crickets and locusts) for my adult and hatchling crested geckos off a company on ebay. I removed the live food tubs from the cardboard box and opened the lid of the tub containing small crickets for my hatchlings and also got my tub of calcium dust from beside the hatchlings tank. I had both open when I noticed this smallish spider crawling along the lid of the calcium dust. So it's either crawled out of the cricket tub onto the lid of the calcium tub or already been on the lid edge of the calcium dust tub (the latter seemingly unlikely but not impossible). I have seen plenty of LBJ spiders before but never seen one quite like this but I could easily be wrong. I do hope it is a common native so I can release the little fella. I can probably get better pictures if needed.

frits_b · #2 (**permalink**) 09-09-2011, 09:26 PM

Looks like a Thanatus species (Philodromidae).

Thanatus formicinus (occuring in the UK) would be a pretty good match. If it's exotic, there could be dozens of other candidates.

~T~ · #3 (**permalink**) 09-09-2011, 11:06 PM

Thanks for the help. After a bit of googling it would appear that the little fella (or girl by the looks of it) is Thanatus vulgaris. It would appear they are well known for turning up with livefood. Seems it's an American species though so she wont be released.

Kayleigh · #4 (**permalink**) 09-09-2011, 11:22 PM

Wont the geckos eat it..

~T~ · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2011, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Wont the geckos eat it..

Probably though I would feel bad (ok that's a bit hypocritical as I don't feel bad about the crickets). I might just free her in my house as apparently they thrive in houses where they eat all sorts of pests (including escaped crickets

. Apparently they are used in bed bug control...thankfully I don't have bed bugs