What is this spider Please?

Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong place but ive just found a spider ive never seen before in my shed. It might be a common UK spider i dont know to be honest all i know is ive never seen it before and despite what the pictures show it was purely jet black with a brown patch on the top of its tail that made me think it was a black widow? thats the easiest way to describe the spider a black widow with a brown patch instead of red.

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It's a monster! Quick, kill it!
A brown spider perhaps?

reply to post by LvSLoLo


Uhmmm...the front legs remind me of the false black widow spider...

false black widow

Don't know really...

Peace

reply to post by operation mindcrime


I could see that...

Ok... That's just scary!!! I normally don't kill spiders... They eat all the irritating pest whether inside or out. However if it's something that could hurt me... Not so much life saving idea's coming from me.

The only thing I can come up w/ is a web site that helps to identify creepy spiders.

Spiders

Could be this?

www.dailymail.co.uk...

rare orb weaver spider, I think its scientific name is Meta bourneti

Shuns any form of light.

If you're in the UK. I think it may be the rare Orb weaver spider.

amraks
Could be this?

www.dailymail.co.uk...

rare orb weaver spider

Shuns any form of light.

Beat me to it.

Oops I didn't realise you were in the UK



In that case

This false widow is thought to have first arrived in the UK from the Mediterranean in the late 1800s.
For many decades it remained in a small area within Devon, but about 15 years ago it began to spread and it can now be spotted all along the South Coast.

Tube web spider (S.Hine)
In spider terms, it has to be said that [the tube web] is an aggressive spider
Stuart Hine, NHM
Mr Hine said: "It has a nasty bite - and some people can have a bad reaction to it."
The tube web spider (Segestria florentina), another non-native biting spider, has also been on the move, spreading from the South Coast much further north.
It is a large spider, measuring between 1.5cm and 2.2cm (0.6-0.9in), with green iridescence on its jaws.
Mr Hine said: "In spider terms, it has to be said that this is an aggressive spider.
"If you approach it, it raises its legs and bares its fangs.
"Most spiders will back away - this one will jump at you and bite."

Linky to source

Cody

Ok thanks guys, its either the orb spider or the false widow. I found another in 1 of my rabbits hutches so i had to get rid of it not risking him being hurt.

reply to post by LvSLoLo


I am 100% sure, its a Orb Weaver(Meta bourneti) spider.

I agree that is does look like the orb weaver in that Daily Mail story. However given the rarity of the spider I think it may be unlikely.

How large was it?

Assuming the photo here is correct, then I think a false widow is a strong possibility.

Not deadly, but may give a nip.

If in doubt don't pee it off. False widows can give you a nasty nip.

AndyMayhew
I agree that is does look like the orb weaver in that Daily Mail story. However given the rarity of the spider I think it may be unlikely.

How large was it?

Assuming the photo here is correct, then I think a false widow is a strong possibility.

Not deadly, but may give a nip.

The second picture down is pretty much spot on what we saw, The 2 we saw were around half a inch long maybe a bit bigger

LvSLoLo
Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong place but ive just found a spider ive never seen before in my shed. It might be a common UK spider i dont know to be honest all i know is ive never seen it before and despite what the pictures show it was purely jet black with a brown patch on the top of its tail that made me think it was a black widow? thats the easiest way to describe the spider a black widow with a brown patch instead of red.

img690.imageshack.us...

img202.imageshack.us...

img580.imageshack.us...

That's Nigel, Nigel the Spider.

AndyMayhew
I agree that is does look like the orb weaver in that Daily Mail story. However given the rarity of the spider I think it may be unlikely.

How large was it?

Assuming the photo here is correct, then I think a false widow is a strong possibility.

Not deadly, but may give a nip.

It does looks the same, and so does the Orb Weaver, and they both have that white 'star' feature near the head that is clearer in the OP's picture. I see that link of yours mentions the chance of the Black widow immigrating too, I don't fancy that. As far as I know no one in the UK has died from a spider bite, not in the natural habitat anyway. Hope it stays that way.

reply to post by LvSLoLo


you really don't want to see a pregnant wolf spider (or huntsman?) then. the huge furry ones that magicly appear about now.

I vote for Orb weaver spider. I don't know what I was thinking but I followed a few links and did a search on spiders...not one of my brightest moves... and in my opinion, it looks most like the Orb. I hate the little suckers! I don't want to offend anyone, but seriously, if that thing appeared anywhere near me, it would be nothing more than a smear on either my boot or a 2 x 4...

It is a Brown Widow Spider. Look at the markings on the abdomen, the proximity of the eyes to each other, and the size of the pedipalps (forelegs).

Mr.Happy Spider.
(Spiderus Happytimus)