cave spider Minsmere (1 Viewer)

I finally caught up with the cave spider at Minsmere, on Sunday.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/328145-..._source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=News

I presume there's more than one species of cave spider? Any one know which species it is?

Cheers

Meta menardi or M. bourneti I believe are the only true cave spiders in britain, I don't think you can tell them apart without close inspection. There is definitely something about them... the giant egg sacs hanging in the cracks of cave walls are quite a sight. The big stripey legged spiders hanging beside them are also very cool!

Although there is an air of mystery about them, round here I've found them in a few locations. Only last week I had a look in a small dark tunnel and there they were. Also under overhanging large rocks and in the hollow stump of an old ash tree which was blown down. My local tiny 'cave' is currently crawling with spiderlings and 3 egg sacs yet to hatch. It's worth shining a light round any dark, suspect looking space, just incase - always check the cracks...

Laura thanks for your reply. I've now been told it's been identified as Meta bourneti; I'm still keen to know if anyone can confirm this.

I can't confirm it but the Spider Recording Scheme map for M. menardi doesn't show it as present in Suffolk, although it is the more common species in the UK.
http://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Summary/s/Meta+menardi