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  • Welcome to the new site. Here's a thread about the update where you can post your feedback, ask questions or spot those nasty bugs!

The SPIDER THREAD - post your spiders here.

Paul Iddon

Moderator
Subadult male Neriene montana (one of the Money Spiders which belong to the family Linyphiidae). It is recognised by the dark brown radiating lines on the carapace, a dark-edged brown abdomen with pale mottled sides and annulated legs. This huge family includes over 40% of the spiders found in Britain with over 270 species.

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Paul.
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
These spiders are extraordinary in their leg stripes and the seemingly massive growth of those clasping jaws!

Are they used when they are overgrown?

At first I thought they were eyes on stalks, thrn they seem to be crutches!

Asher
 

Paul Iddon

Moderator
The jaws grow in line with the spiders growth and can therefore be quite large or small.

In one specie of European spiders the fangs (chelicerae) continue to overgrow - quite literally "long in the tooth" - that being the Neriene montana (featured in other photos above this) and is believed to be quite unique.

Paul.
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
The jaws grow in line with the spiders growth and can therefore be quite large or small.

In one specie of European spiders the fangs (chelicerae) continue to overgrow - quite literally "long in the tooth" - that being the Neriene montana (featured in other photos above this) and is believed to be quite unique.

Paul.
But how do they still use them when massive?
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
This fellow is so well imaged and becomes my favorite!

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Beautiful enameled body and surgeon’s eyes!

Fabulous!

Asher
 

Paul Iddon

Moderator
Thank you Asher.

I'm not sure if she is gravid or not - seems to be the wrong time of year for that, but you never know.

Paul.
 

Paul Iddon

Moderator
She is tucked up in the top of the bird table at the moment - but she did peep out earlier, and she wasn't cross... 😇😉

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Paul.
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Such an intricate and sophisticated organism. I am sure if we studied this lady/fellow’s biology we’d learn a universe of new and useful science. This is something like meeting an extraterrestrial!

Your photography allows us to leave behind reality for a moment and look into another world!

Asher
 

Paul Iddon

Moderator
Beautiful silvery spider!

what is the “missing segment” that names the species?

Asher

They get their name from the web - usually, an orb spider spins a near-perfect web, but for some reason, this species misses joining some parts of theirs - hence the missing sector.

Paul.
 

Paul Iddon

Moderator
And why is it outside? Is it a lure for insects that can smell the residual scent of the missing eggs?

I read somewhere that when placed on the soil, some insects will actually go into (under) it. One person said she found 3 dozen harvestmen beneath hers one morning - I was hoping for a few at least, but so far, just a spider...

Paul.
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
I read somewhere that when placed on the soil, some insects will actually go into (under) it. One person said she found 3 dozen harvestmen beneath hers one morning - I was hoping for a few at least, but so far, just a spider...

Paul.
Perhaps a little protein will invite in the first part of your community!

A tiny fragment of chicken or gravy?
 
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