English spider ID please (1 Viewer)

colincurry

Well-known member

• Jul 17, 2020

• #1

Saw this beast this morning and was reminded of Shelob.

Only underside view possible as it disappeared behind a bridge structure over a stream.

Thanks

Colin

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Jul 18, 2020

• #2

It's a Steatoda, I think S. nobilis.

 

colincurry

Well-known member

• Jul 18, 2020

• #3

Thank you.

Colin

 

S

salticus

Well-known member

• Jul 18, 2020

• #4

It's a walnut orb weaver, Nuctenea umbratica. The bottom picture shows a dorsal view. Amongst other features, the stout leg spines should have dissuaded anyone from identifying it as a Steatoda

 

colincurry

Well-known member

• Jul 18, 2020

• #5

Limited research suggests that the Walnut has a distinctive flattened body enabling it to hide in crevices. Body does not appear flattened in either snap.

My knowledge of spiders is minimal.

Colin

 

S

salticus

Well-known member

• Jul 18, 2020

• #6

colincurry said:

Limited research suggests that the Walnut has a distinctive flattened body enabling it to hide in crevices. Body does not appear flattened in either snap.

My knowledge of spiders is minimal.

Colin

Click to expand...

In the lower picture it looks distinctly flattened compared to other orb weavers of a similar size, e.g. garden spider, in my opinion. But a female full of eggs isn't going to be wafer thin.

 

Last edited: Jul 18, 2020