3,456 Views 5 Replies Last post: Sep 6, 2010 2:16 PM by Lewis RSS
VioletHue Beginner 1 posts since
Sep 5, 2010
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Sep 5, 2010 7:24 PM

Can anybody tell me which spider this is?

Hi. I just wondered if anybody could please help me identify the spider shown in these two videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spsIsNLX7CI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzAbR48G3tc

It was found in a house in London, UK. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Bird Wocha Master 88 posts since
Aug 30, 2010
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Sep 5, 2010 10:05 PM in response to: VioletHue
Re: Can anybody tell me which spider this is?

I agree, it looks like a false widow. Web searches suggest false widows have a reputation for biting people but they only bite if mishandled or provoked.  The bite is said to be similar to a bee sting.

 

Birdwocha

Lewis Master 573 posts since
Sep 15, 2009
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Sep 6, 2010 11:08 AM in response to: VioletHue
Re: Can anybody tell me which spider this is?
Have a look at my post from a month or so ago "Stetoda Neigbours" I think that these pics are the commonest of our false widows. Although I'm still waiting for confirmation from the forum.
bombuslucorum  - Museum ID team Master 997 posts since
Sep 15, 2009
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Sep 6, 2010 12:51 PM in response to: Lewis
Re: Can anybody tell me which spider this is?
Hi Lewis - can you send a link to your previous posting and I will take a look as I (and others) must have missed these before.
Lewis Master 573 posts since
Sep 15, 2009
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Sep 6, 2010 2:20 PM in response to: bombuslucorum - Museum ID team
Re: Can anybody tell me which spider this is?

Hi Bombus, I'm not too good at link posting so I hope this works.

 

 

 

Stetoda Neigbours 

bombuslucorum  - Museum ID team Master 997 posts since
Sep 15, 2009
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Sep 6, 2010 12:49 PM in response to: VioletHue
Re: Can anybody tell me which spider this is?

Yep, Steatoda nobilis - the second being a male and the first is also prob. a male. This is the most notorious of the six species of False Widow (Genus Steatoda) found in the UK, this species having been introduced through trade over the last century. It has increased in numbers and distribution markedly over the last 20 years and has been increasingly implicated in bites to humans - as others have said this is still a rare event and usually nothing to write home about. That said a handful of people have had longer lasting and more severe symptoms.

 

My advice if you do not feel comfortable with then inside your home is to simply to kick them outside to a distance you do feel comfortable with but do not resort to insecticide sprays or pest exterminators as there will be plenty more in your neighbourhood.

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