Hello,

I saw this rather vicious looking spider whilst up in my Grandma's loft the other day. It has a burgundy coloured glossy body and legs with black markings and just bigger than a thumbnail. It has me rather intrigued! Anyone have any idea what it is?

Thanks in advance for any help.

   

Hi Leigh 123
Looks to me like a false black widow spider (Steatoda sp.) Do a web search and have a look. Five species are native and one has been introduced. It is probably Steatoda grossa which is around in May.

The non-native species is Steatoda nobilis (I think this had red on the abdomen)- we had one make a web inside our landrover windscreen last year.

I think they can give a nip which leads to swelling etc. If you want to know the exact species I can ask someone who will probably know but you may need some more photos - an underside shot would help.

Best wishes SCR

Just found this link for you http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2007/...11767.html

This post was last modified: 12-05-2008 09:36 PM by South Coast Ranger.

Hi Leigh123, welcome to the forums.

That does look like quite a fearsome spider! I wouldn't want to get nipped by it. Looking at that link I agree, it does look like a false black widow.

Thanks for the replies. I believe it to be a Statoda Grossa as googling that brings back images which closely match the shape and colourings.

I'll have another look and if it's about then i'll try and get some better pics than the ones i got with the camera on my phone!