Spider for ID

[PeterD]

Like the nursery rhyme -'Little miss Muffet sat on a tuffet.......'. This spider decended on a single thread from a sycamore tree and was not noticed until it was at eye level with a cafe customer. You should have seen the panic that ensued. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me

I captured the spider and brought it home, photographed it and released it.

Can anyone please ID this spider for me?





Thank you

[Hedera]

It's an Araneus quadratus - 4-spot orb weaver spider. Nice fat female one!

[PeterD]

Originally Posted by Hedera

It's an Araneus quadratus - 4-spot orb weaver spider. Nice fat female one!

Thank you

[No.9 Spider]

Hi Peter, have you any photos showing more of the abdomen (top side)? An unusual location for one of these, being a low vegetation/long grass species.

[frits_b]

Originally Posted by No.9 Spider

Hi Peter, have you any photos showing more of the abdomen (top side)? An unusual location for one of these, being a low vegetation/long grass species.

Indeed, and looking at the spider's appearance, I wouldn't suggest A. quadratus either. I know A. quadratus' abdominal colour is pretty variable, but I've never seen a light orange one like this. I tend to think A. diadematus is more likely.

[PeterD]

Originally Posted by No.9 Spider

Hi Peter, have you any photos showing more of the abdomen (top side)? An unusual location for one of these, being a low vegetation/long grass species.

Thanks for your reply.

Here are a couple more views mainly of the abdomen,

http://www.imageinuk.com/Spiders-Ara.../A299029-L.jpg

http://www.imageinuk.com/Spiders-Ara.../A299024-L.jpg

Peter

[PeterD]

Originally Posted by frits_b

Indeed, and looking at the spider's appearance, I wouldn't suggest A. quadratus either. I know A. quadratus' abdominal colour is pretty variable, but I've never seen a light orange one like this. I tend to think A. diadematus is more likely.

Thanks frits. Our posts crossed. See my earlier eply with links to two more images.