Buzzing Spider - Anyphaena accentuata

    Family - Anyphaenidae
    Genus - Anyphaena
    Single European Species. Very distinctive markings making this Spider easy
    to identify. They hunt on the leaves of trees and bushes.
    The Male makes a high pitched buzzing sound by vibrating his Abdomen on
    a leaf to attract a Female.

    Male
    Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton
    03.05.12

    Male
    Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton
    21.04.12

    Male - Recently Molted
    Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton
    10.04.12

    Male
    Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton
    31.03.12

    Male
    Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton
    06.04.12  

    Male
    Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton
    31.10.2011

    Female
    Kingley Vale, West Sussex
    15.04.2011
  

Spiders Calendar 2012

 

Steatoda grossa

    Family - Theridiidae
    Genus - Steatoda
    Female: 6.5-10mm / Male: 4-6mm
    Male has more distinctive white crescent with white triangles and bars
    on the Abdomen.

    Juvenile
    Bear Road Crematorium
    Brighton, East Sussex
    19.11.2011

    Female
    Brighton, East Sussex
    19.10.2011

    Male
    Brighton, East Sussex
    18.11.2011

    Juvenile
    Hove, East Sussex
    03.04.2011

    Adult Male
    Brighton
    21.09.2010
    Many thanks to Peter Harvey of BAS for Id confirmation.

Steatoda bipunctata

    Family - Theridiidae
    Genus - Steatoda
    Distinctive looking Spider - Male Palp's quite large.
    Web's made up of criss-cross threads.

    Female: 4.5-7mm / Male: 4-5mm

    Male
    Found in a Bird Hide.
    Arlington Reservoir,
    East Sussex
    11.08.2011

    Female
    Kingley Vale NNR
    West Sussex
    15.04.2011
    Many thanks to Peter Harvey of BAS for Id confirmation.

    Male
    Brighton, East Sussex
    13.11.2011

Letter from Sir David Attenborough

    I recently wrote a letter to Sir David Attenborough. I asked him if
    he had ever encountered Atypus affinis - Purse Web Spider.
    I also sent him a collection of my Photographs of the Colonies that
    I have discovered in Brighton.

    It is truly, a great honour and a huge inspiration to have received a
    handwritten reply from Sir David:

    Dear Nik Nimbus,
    Thankyou very much for your most interesting letter.
    I totally agree with you. Spiders are truly fascinating.
    Indeed I have often said - to my children and others -
    that when I stop making films, I will settle down and start to
    study Spiders properly - as you have done and are doing.
    But that day has not yet dawned so now I am quite certain that
    you know much much more about Spiders than I do.
    You were kind enough to send me some of your spectacular pictures -
    and with them a return stamped envelope, for me to return them.
    Did you want them signed? If you do I will gladly do so -
    though I don't deserve to have my name on such good pictures.
    Just let me know.
    Meanwhile, thank you again for letting me see them.
    Best wishes
    David Attenborough
    :::::
    What an amazing man! He has always been an inspiration and always will be!
    :::::
    I sent Sir David a Spiders Calendar 2012.
    He very kindly sent me this in return.

Erigone sp.

    Family - Linyphiidae
    Genus - Erigone 

    "...probably either E. atra or E. dentipalpis, but it is impossible to id
    to species without microscopical examination" - Peter Harvey BAS
    Dulwich Park
    London
    30.09.2011

Jumping Spider - Pseudeuophrys lanigera

    Family - Salticidae
    Genus - Pseudeuophrys
    Many thanks to Peter Harvey of the British Arachnological Society for Id.

    A tiny little Jumping Spider. The species name is derived from
    Latin "death monster".

    Male showing his darkened and enlarged front pair of legs.
    Extra Mural Cemetery
    Brighton
    22.03.12

    Female with Mosquito Tea!
    Brighton
    27.03.12

    Female feeding on a Mite.

    Female
    Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton
    21.05.12

    Female Juvenile
    Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton
    23.02.12

    Hove
    25.05.12

    Male
    Brighton Extra Mural Cemetery
    23.09.2011
    :::::
    These next amazing Photographs were very kindly sent to me by
    Photographer and friend, Richard Mcmellon.
    This Female hunts on Richard's ceiling and on his pillow!
    She has become quite a little friend so he tells me.

    I can see why she choses to hunt on Richard's pillow -
    perfect camouflage!
    Many thanks to Richard Mcmellon for these great Photographs!
    Thame, Oxfordshire

    19.11.2011
    :::::

    Female
    Brighton Extra Mural Cemetery
    22.03.2011

    Male
    Back Garden
    Brighton, East Sussex
    22.03.2011

 

    Female

    Brighton Extra Mural Cemetery

    06.10.2010