Not everybodies choice for study but they cannot be ignored, particularly in September when their webs cross our path everywhere we go. It is surprising to know that more than 600 species are found in Britain with the greatest number in the south. I do however find them fascinating to watch and photograph. There are a good number of species in Horndean. One of the most striking species being the Wasp spider Argiope bruennichi.

The first one I encountered was at Dell Piece West in September 1999. They build a large orb web like the common garden spider but with the addition of a ladder-like structure near the centre (stabilmentum). The web is frequently made between the flower heads of fleabane and their favourite food is supposed to be grasshoppers but I have seen them tucking in to bumble bees. All specimens illustrated are females, the male is a quarter the size and I have not yet spotted one. Last September (2004) Argiope were spotted on Horndean Down (along path to Windmill Hill) and this September (2005) they have been seen on Catherington Down but not at Dell Piece but the other large orb spider Araneus quadratus was seen recently at DPW. A very large pale coloured specimen was photographed and I was able to see the large anterior spinners.

Click on small images for the gallery, including more information.

This nasty little spider has been discovered in Horndean. Reported in December 07 by Steve McKnight who found several around the house and sent me this picture of one in his ground floor cloakroom. They have been known to bite if mishandled (Its like a bee sting!) so be careful if you come across one, its not as toxic as the Black Widow spider that it resembles. I did find what I think was the same spider in a garden in Portsmouth under a loose paving stone, but this may have been Dipoena sp.More information can be found on www.uksafari.com/falsewidows I would like to hear from anyone that has spotted this spider.

On the 1st April 2008 I decided to clean out the greenhouse and low and behold came across this black shiny spider which I have a sneaking feeling is another False Widow Spider Steatoda nobilis. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who thinks this is a different species or has seen a similar one whilst spring cleaning. There was a much smaller spider nearby yhay may have been the male. This one was the size of a large pea and assume it to be a female.

Argiope bruennichi

Argiope bruennichi

Araneus quadratus

Araneus quadratus

Araneus quadratus

Other species of spider will be added but I need to check identification and scan some old photographs.
The following three species were fascinating to watch all in our wild garden -

Salticus scenicus

Misumena vatia

Misumena vatia

Pisaura mirabilis

Useful references
For identification the best two books i have found are
 · Collins Field Guide to Spiders of Britain & N.Europe - Michael Roberts (NHBS £20)

 · A Guide to Spiders of Britain & N.Europe - Dick Jones (lives locally)

 · BBC Wildlife Pocket Guide No.4 - Spiders is excellent - selected by Dick Jones copies can be ordered from BBC Wlf Pocket Guides call 01795 414718 (£7.99 for 25 inc p&p)

Recommended · A fascinating and readable book - Spiders in the Garden - Dr Rod Preston-Mafham. First published by Osmia Publications Ltd at £4.95. I learnt a lot about spiders in a short time !