Posted by Vincent Jones on March 21, 2012 at 8:09 PM
Just a quick question to ask if anyone can identify this spider that was handed to us today.
It's big & scary. Head to base of body is about 20mm, very long legs which make it look like a widow spider when it walks. The location found was at the top of a manhole drain cover.
I don't do Spiders
Many thanks to anyone who can help with the identification.
Regards
Vince
Posted by Vincent Jones on March 21, 2012 at 8:10 PM
Here is another with its front legs tucked in
Posted by John Robinson on March 21, 2012 at 8:30 PM
Vincent.
One of the "cave "type spiders such Meta menardi/Meta bourneti I think. Often in cellars,caves etc.
Dysdera crocata looks possible though but not large enough.
Try this link -looks like it(under a manhole cover too !!)
I,ll have another look tomorrow.
Cheers
JR
This is interesting
"A media frenzy was caused[says who?] when British Telecom engineers working in the grounds of Windsor Castle discovered a colony living in conduits and manholes. These were incorrectly described[by whom?] as swarms of aggressive spiders, up to 10 cm in size. The error was compounded when they were identified as a new and probably highly venomous species by Graham Smith, a misinformed entomologist.[6] The initial incident was widely reported but when the species was properly identified the matter received little publicity."
Posted by Vincent Jones on March 22, 2012 at 6:27 AM
Hi John,
Many thanks for the identification given & the references.
Discussion
3 repliesIt's big & scary. Head to base of body is about 20mm, very long legs which make it look like a widow spider when it walks. The location found was at the top of a manhole drain cover.
I don't do Spiders
Many thanks to anyone who can help with the identification.
Regards
Vince
One of the "cave "type spiders such Meta menardi/Meta bourneti I think. Often in cellars,caves etc.
Dysdera crocata looks possible though but not large enough.
Try this link -looks like it(under a manhole cover too !!)
http://www.eakringbirds.com/eakringbirds3/arachnidsmetabourneti.htm
I,ll have another look tomorrow.
Cheers
JR
This is interesting
"A media frenzy was caused[says who?] when British Telecom engineers working in the grounds of Windsor Castle discovered a colony living in conduits and manholes. These were incorrectly described[by whom?] as swarms of aggressive spiders, up to 10 cm in size. The error was compounded when they were identified as a new and probably highly venomous species by Graham Smith, a misinformed entomologist.[6] The initial incident was widely reported but when the species was properly identified the matter received little publicity."
Many thanks for the identification given & the references.