Is this a queen wasp? (spider)

Daniee · 8 Oct 2013 at 02:59

Hello! I've not long been to a friends house to help with some computer problem. The power cable for CPU wasn't plugged in but to be fair it was quite easy to miss as it was hiding behind the enormous heat sink.

Upon leaving his house and heading to the gate, I came across loads of spiders on his gate.

Here is a picture.

I am so very sorry for the bad quality, but it was dark and I tried to take one with the flash off but it was even worse as it was just black! The spider is located where the vertical bar meets the horizontal bit at the top.

It had a big main body, with white/black markings on it, and quite fat legs. There were also a couple smaller ones making webs and a lot of very tiny baby spiders running around too.

So anyway, does anyone know what type of spider this is and should I be avoiding my friends house for the next million years?

Many thanks!

Uncle Petey · 8 Oct 2013 at 03:02

False Widow bro. The invasion is in full swing.

Hyburnate · 8 Oct 2013 at 03:04

Petey is right, despite him being jokey at the same time. That is a false widow. It's markings are very particular.

IronWarrior · 8 Oct 2013 at 03:14

Kill it with Fire.

Uncle Petey · 8 Oct 2013 at 03:17

^A rather worn out phrase, but I have to concur.

Ze babies must burn!

Monkeynut · 8 Oct 2013 at 03:17

They're pushing towards Cheshire. :eek:

Hyburnate · 8 Oct 2013 at 03:22

I'm sure our scientists are on it, making a virus to kill them off

Mark A · 8 Oct 2013 at 04:17

Just looks like a common Orb-weaver to me.

Hyburnate · 8 Oct 2013 at 04:19

Mark A said:
Just looks like a common Orb-weaver to me.

Nah, definitely a false widow.

Unicorn · 8 Oct 2013 at 04:28

False widow yep. Fire .. Kill it

Gypo · 8 Oct 2013 at 13:18

They are already in chesire, seen one in crewe last week!

Princess Diana Abbott · 8 Oct 2013 at 13:22

Its a common orb spider

I had one too:

Stelly

Gilly · 8 Oct 2013 at 13:30

It could be either a false widow or an orb, without seeing it in daylight and seeing the markings properly I wouldn't like to say either way.

Neither will kill you but false widow bites are painful.

Take off and nuke it from orbit, it's the only way to be sure.

Uncle Petey · 8 Oct 2013 at 13:32

I dunno man, I don't see any on this page that match the one in the OP.

The jet black legs and the 'bum' pattern look fairly conclusive to me, but then I'm not a spider expert.
Then again, the web type differs between orb weavers and widows doesn't it?

robfosters · 8 Oct 2013 at 13:37

Without doubt a false widow.

There's so much confusion as to the damage their bites do, I think that as part of the Overclocker's community, you really should help out your fellow forumites and go back and poke your finger in there.

Follow up with pics of said carnage and we'll send you a nice wreath when the time comes.

xxalxx · 8 Oct 2013 at 13:59

If it's not going to be in your way leave it be

Simple rule in our house, if spider in house it dies, outside we leave it be unless it's a red back.

Uncle Petey · 8 Oct 2013 at 14:08

I'm surprised that personal flamethrowers aren't standard issue in Aus mate

Turambar · 8 Oct 2013 at 14:08

Uncle Petey said:
I dunno man, I don't see any on this page that match the one in the OP.

The jet black legs and the 'bum' pattern look fairly conclusive to me, but then I'm not a spider expert.
Then again, the web type differs between orb weavers and widows doesn't it?

The exact type of Orb Weaver you consider common probably differs based on geography.

Try European garden spider instead.

xxalxx · 8 Oct 2013 at 14:17

Uncle Petey said:
I'm surprised that personal flamethrowers aren't standard issue in Aus mate

We had a huntsman living on our front door handle for a few days, we used the other door!

Gambisk · 8 Oct 2013 at 14:21

robfosters said:
Without doubt a false widow.

There's so much confusion as to the damage their bites do, I think that as part of the Overclocker's community, you really should help out your fellow forumites and go back and poke your finger in there.

Follow up with pics of said carnage and we'll send you a nice wreath when the time comes.

What he said. There are many varying reports on their bites, ranging from a full blown case of death to a bit itchy. Please send us your findings it would be most useful. I'll throw in a nice shiny plague for the memorial bench in your mates garden if it results in full on death