Archive
FOR ARACHNOPHILES & ARACHNOPHOBES
20/03/2025
I find that few people are indifferent to spiders – they either love them (the arachnophiles of which I am one) or hate them (the arachnophobes). Here are a few notes on some interesting ones you may come across.
There are more than 650 species of spiders to be found in the UK. They range from many tiny, inconspicuous ones to several striking and unusual ones. If you are arachnophobic, do at least remember that they are a vital part of the ecosystem, helping to control insect populations that would otherwise explode in vast numbers for example. Here are some of the most interesting spiders you might encounter in Britain:
Dolomedes plantarius (Clerck, 1757) the fen raft spider. Unlike many spiders that spin webs to catch prey, this species hunts from a perch at the water’s surface, detecting vibrations caused by insects which are a potential meal – and it even takes small fish. It has a distinctive dark body with white or cream stripes along its sides.
The wasp spider Argiope bruennichi is a relatively recent arrival in Britain and one of the most visually striking species, with its bold black and yellow stripes resembling a wasp (more pronounced on the upper side than seen in my photo above). It is a skilled web-weaver, creating large orb webs to trap grasshoppers and other prey. It is found mainly in southern England but is becoming more common due to climate warming.
Salticus scenicus (Clerck, 1757), the zebra spider, is a small (5–9mm long), black-and-white striped spider that hunts its prey, using its impressive jumping ability to pounce on insects with precision. These spiders have excellent vision and often turn their heads to watch approaching humans with curiosity. This is a photo © taken near our compost heap.
You have probably seen Eratigena atrica (C. L. Koch, 1843) the giant house spider as they are common around British homes, particularly in Autumn. This big brown beast is one of the largest species in the UK – the female’s leg span is about 45mm. Despite their size which arachnophobes find very intimidating, they are harmless to humans and do much to control household pests.
Steatoda nobilis (Thorell, 1875) the false widow or noble false widow spider is perhaps the most infamous British spider, often mistaken for the true (and dangerous) black widow (Latrodectus spp) due to its similar shape and glossy, dark body. The false widow can bite which can be a bit like a bee sting, but it is not dangerous to humans. It is quite common in homes and gardens in the UK.
Misumena vatia (Clerck, 1757). I photographed this crab spider (you can see why it has that name – and they can also walk sideways) waiting for prey on a thistle ©. They are common but only small (females about 10mm) and, although venomous, their bite cannot penetrate human skin.
Spiders are often misunderstood creatures, yet they are fascinating and beneficial to the environment. Learning to appreciate their role in nature can help reduce unnecessary fear and encourage conservation efforts for Britain’s diverse arachnid population.
At Betts Ecology we love spiders and we avoid pesticides on our sites so they can contribute to the richness of local ecosystems and biodiversity. Do let us know with a photo of any unusual ones you see.
