This spider has unusual markings

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:54 pm

This is a very small spider so the pictures are heavily cropped. It is about 5mm in body length and has very unusual markings. Maybe someone know what kinds it might be.
Its back.......

Its stomach....

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:48 am

I would almost guess a Black Widow. Last year I found one in a place that I would have not expected to find a Black Widow, in an open field with its web strung between some tall blades or stems of grass. Usually I expect to find them under old boards and in barns and such but looking into them, the Black Widows, I found some that were not all black and had very beautiful markings, such as the one you have posted here. Not saying it is a Black Widow but it favors one. Creepy shot from my "phobic" point of view but very well taken.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:46 am

Thanks Ken. First, you have taught me something as I have always thought Black widows are black with a red spot. I did not know they came in different colours. Secondly, I hope it is not one as this nest is on the gatejust outside my office door!!

Gordon C. Snelling · Post by **Gordon C. Snelling** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:08 am

It is definitely a widow of some sort no idea what species though. Males and juveniles are often multicolored as this one is, in some species the females remain this way as well. This would be a juvenile, not a male.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:04 am

Thanks for this interesting information Gordon. I have looked on the few sites we have here and there is nothing even like it on any of them so I cannot find a proper name but I will keep on searching. At least I have a species to look for now.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:19 am

I have found this site which has some on them and have e-mailed them with my pictures to see if they can give me more information.

http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2005/a ... spider.htm

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:46 am

Someone has just given me an identity on this one: Brown Widow Latrodectus geometricus.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 3:46 am

Checked it out on Google Joan. I did not know that tiny frogs could end up on the menue for these things. Despite my dislike for these arachnids, they are very beautiful. That bothers me...

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:35 am

Maybe all the pictures are changing your mind and we will get you to like spiders eventually.

I could not find the reference to the frogs...maybe if you can find it again, you could let me have it? It sounds interesting but unbelieveable as these spiders are VERY small.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:07 am

This link shows the frog... Here

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:16 am

My goodness!! What an interesting series of photographs Ken. Thank you so much for the link. I would not belive it would go after a frog.....the frog is bigger than he is!!

But I guess wrapped up, it will be enough food for a whole lot of little ones.