What is this

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
Warrenj Sussex, United Kingdom Mar 21, 2016

Does anyone know what spider this is. I found it on my garden fence yesterday. Not seen one before.

This message was edited Mar 22, 2016 2:06 PM

Thumbnail by Warrenj Thumbnail by Warrenj Thumbnail by Warrenj
Post #10210973
Quote
Flapdoodle Minot, ND Mar 22, 2016

This is a comb-footed/cobweb spider in the genus Steatoda. Some members of this genus are known as 'false widow' spiders and have generated a bit of notoriety in the lay press. Some can have a very painful bite (personal experience), but they are not truly dangerous to humans. See http://www.uksafari.com/steatodagrossa.htm for more information.

Post #10211252
Quote
Warrenj Sussex, United Kingdom Mar 22, 2016

Thanks flap. Much appreciated. Your confident that's what it is. We have a 15 month baby so will be careful. But happy not to much to worry about.

Post #10211308
Quote
Flapdoodle Minot, ND Mar 22, 2016

Best to be watchful with such a young one, as they are apt to pick up anything they find interesting - that's how I got bitten. Fortunately, these spiders are not aggressive toward humans, so about the only way to get bitten by one is to pick one of them up...

Post #10211342
Quote
Warrenj Sussex, United Kingdom Mar 23, 2016

Hi flap. When you say some genus are known as false widow. What's genus and does it mean this is a false widow.

Post #10211413
Quote
Warrenj Sussex, United Kingdom Mar 23, 2016

And it's back again. Is it def a false widow

Thumbnail by Warrenj
Post #10211449
Quote
Flapdoodle Minot, ND Mar 23, 2016

A genus is the next taxonomic category above species. The genus Steatoda contains several species, including S. bipunctata, S. grossa, S. nobilis, S. triangulosa, etc. Not all members of this genus are referred to as 'false widows'...
Family is the next taxonomic category above genus; the genus Steatoda belongs to the family Theridiidae (comb-footed/cobweb spiders), which also includes the true widow spiders in the genus Latrodectus.

Post #10211458
Quote
hersheyboss Apr 17, 2016

Your spider picture looks very similar to a spider living in my shed. Is this also a false widow? I live in Dublin, Ireland and haven't seen a spider like this before..

Thumbnail by hersheyboss Thumbnail by hersheyboss Thumbnail by hersheyboss
Post #10218868
Quote
Flapdoodle Minot, ND Apr 17, 2016

Definitely a Steatoda; possibly S. bipunctata - http://flickriver.com/photos/micks-wildlife-macros/5477088793/

Post #10218896
Quote
hersheyboss Apr 18, 2016

Thanks Flapdoodle.

Post #10219252
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP