False widow nobilis?

Maeve5 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 06:15 AM

Hi. I've just joined so that I can get an ID on this spider that's been lurking (and breeding) in our house here in Wiltshire recently. I finally managed to get a decent photo of it last night. My suspicion is that it's a False Widow spider (the s. nobilis variety).

Am I right?
If so, do I need to be worried at all? I saw the thread that the media is over-hyping it (what's new, afterall?) But I have very young children (and cats and a parrot) and this spider worries me just a little...

As a rule, I don't kill spiders - even the huge black house spiders - providing them a toilet paper "ladder" to help them out of the bathtub on a regular basis. But so far, I've made an exception for this new one. I realise that I may be over-reacting, so I want more information, please.

Thanks.

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 06:27 AM

I'm 99% sure these aren't S.nobilis. I have four S.nobilis around my kitchen window and they are not like the spiders in your shot. If you are worried about these spiders, the best thing you could do is to cup them, slide a piece of card underneath and remove to the garden or further away if you prefer.
If they had been S.nobilis, they are non-agressive spiders that would only nip if they were handled without due care.
I shall be interested in what species they are, so thanks for posting the pictures.

The Woodman · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 08:07 AM

There is some good images of S.nobilis here....Steatoda nobilis photos and info

Looks a bit Liocranum rupicola - ish.

nikolai_avenger · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 09:04 AM

This looks like Amaurobius sp. to me, possibly similis.

Cheers. Nik.

sebastianbawn · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 09:26 AM

Definately an Amaurobius species. They are known as Lace-Webbed Weavers. Most probably A.similis as Nikolai said, but A.fenestralis is a possibility. Nothing to worry about

Maeve5 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 10:39 AM

Thank you for putting my mind at rest. It was difficult to get a good ID myself - previously due to no photos and then due to the large amount of "competing" species...

I'm comfortable with the fact that it looks like the A.fenestralis - very close picture match there and it's inside all over the place here, but just not super obvious before now.

I won't have to kill any more of them now, so I'm happy there too - I don't like harming spiders, would rather they keep doing their job.

Thanks again.