Lace Webbed Spider - Amaurobius ferox

    Family - Amaurobiidae
    Genus - Amaurobius
    A nocturnal Spider that spins a lacy, bluish web.
    Found mainly under stones and logs.
    The Male Palpal organs are very distinctive as they are white.
    Female: 11-15mm / Male: 8-10mm
    This photograph was very kindly sent to me by George Walker,
    who found this Male in his Outhouse.
    Many thanks to Peter Harvey of the BAS for help with identification.

    Photo by George Walker
    Ogmore Vale
    Wales
    28.03.2011
   

Pirate Spiders - Mimetidae

    Family - Mimetidae
    12 genera, 152 species

    Unusual Egg Sac.
    I think this is the work of a Pirate Spider (Genus - Ero ?)
    "..it could be Ero aphana, but I don't know how distinctive this is
    in relation to other species". - Peter Harvey BAS
    This Species preys on other Spiders by invading their webs.
    Extra Mural Cemetery
    Brighton
    12.12.2011

    Second Egg Sac on the same Tomb
    Extra Mural Cemetery
    Brighton
    13.12.2011

    Third Egg Sac
    This one was under a Stone Urn, next to another Spider's Web.
    Extra Mural Cemetery
    Brighton, East Sussex
    17.11.2011

Argiope lobata

    Family - Araneidae
    Genus - Argiope
    Male - 6mm / Female - upto 25mm
    Known as the Lobed Argiope.
    Quite a large Orb Weaving Spider found all over Africa and stretching
    to Southern Europe and into Asia.
    Distinctive zig-zag pattern/ ribboning (stabilimenta) emanating from the centre
    of the Orb Web, thought to be a disguise from predators by camouflaging the
    Spider or making it appear larger.
    A relative of the UK's Wasp Spider - Argiope bruennichi.
    Many thanks to Nick Loebner, who very kindly sent me these great
    Photographs and recording information.

    Les Marines, Barcares Grande Plage.
    Near Perpignan, Southern France.
    10.09.2005
    Photographs by Nick Loebner.

Spiders of Turkey

    I recently met Photographer Orhan Eskitaş from Turkey, on Facebook.
    He posts some amazing photographs at the Makrower Photography Group.
    It gives me immense pleasure that Orhan has very kindly offered to
    contribute to my Blog.
    I am using this Website to help with identification - Spiders of Turkey
    Here is some of Orhan's great work.
 

    Family - Salticidae
     Plexippus payculli (?)
     Izmir - Balçova - Turkey
     09.10.2011
 

    Unknown Salticid
     Izmir - Balçova - Turkey
     25.09.2011

 
     Gnaphosidae ?

    Balcova Izmir
    Turkey
    13.12.2011

    Male Philaeus sp.
     Family : Salticidae
     Balçova, Izmir,  Türkey
     09.06.12
     ::::::

    Family - Salticidae

     Plexippus payculli (?)

     Photograph by Emma O'Laughlin

     Side, near Antalya
     Turkey

     11/05/12

     :::::: 

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.