UK Spiders in their various guises.
One of the more unusual visitors to my garden are the Harvestmen (Opiliones)
Harvestmen are arachnids, but they are not spiders and they have no web or venom. They come in various configurations, from tiny with long legs to a more rugged build with shorter legs like this one. Some species have very weird appendages – spikes, tridents and claws.
The UK has around 30 species, this one is Odiellus spinosus.
Meet the Nosferatu spider, also known as the false wolf spider.
Zoropsis spinimana
(This one has been named Sebastian)
I recieved a panicked message from a friend on Friday. This unwanted houseguest was camping out in her living room.
A quick collection, a couple of photos and he is now living at the local allotment.
Cucumber Spider (Araniella cucurbitina) Male.
Lovely bright green spiders, common in the garden.
The Garden orb weavers are abundant this year, every bit of space seems to have a couple spiders slinging their webs.
A soft spot for spiders.
An affection for the Araneae.
A kindness to our often despised eight-legged friends.
Spiders get a bad rap, they are disliked, misunderstood and even sometimes feared. Horror stories in the news about attacks, weeping wounds, even schools being closed because of infestations of the dreaded false widow!
Hopefully i can change options a bit, you don’t have to love spiders but you shouldn’t fear them either. Finding one in your bathtub should not ruin your day, a quick removal with a cup and some paper will see them on their way.
This site will feature mostly British species I find in my Surrey garden.
