Spiders found

[Oolon Colluphid]

Hey everyone. Requesting your help identifying this spider... I live in Campbell River, Vancouver Island, BC. I have heard that black widows can live here, but I have never seen one. Sorry for not having a better picture, but I am not a big fan of spiders... although more relaxed than I once was.

Your help please on the following photo...

 

[Venom]

That looks like a Steatoda to me.

 

[GiantVinegaroon]

I second the Steatoda, but I think ventral shots or a size comparison to a coin are needed...

 

[jsloan]

Your help please on the following photo...

This picture is not much to go on, but I wouldn't rule out Latrodectus hesperus as a possible suspect. That species has been found in your area:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/39908

See what the underbelly looks like the next time you see one. That usually isn't difficult, as they tend to hang upside down in their webs. If it's hiding in a retreat, go back at night and it may be sitting out in its web at that time. Or, throw a bug in its web and maybe it will come out.

 

[Moultmaster]

I'll second the latrodectus hesperus. Until we get to see another pic anyway. Steatodas tend to be more in the brown-red color range, the spider in the pic is jet black, although it does have some of the abdomenal indentations characteristic of a steatoda. Definitely need more pics to be sure.

 

[jsloan]

... the spider in the pic is jet black, although it does have some of the abdomenal indentations characteristic of a steatoda.

Actually, those indentations are visible in many different kinds of spiders. They are points where muscles are attached on the inside of the abdomen.

 

[Richard McJimsey]

Steatodas tend to be more in the brown-red color range.

Steatoda grossa

 

[Moultmaster]

...Steatodas tend to be more in the brown-red color range...

Thanks Rick. I never implied they couldn't be a darker brown or red as is yours. The right lighting does wonders in making things look darker that's why I need to see another pic of the spider in question.

Have a look at this S. grossa under the right light.

http://www1.gantep.edu.tr/~varol/tr/Image25.gif

And this l. hesperus

http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/...us hesperus/?action=view&current=100_6735.jpg

I'm still leaning towards hesperus until we get to see another pic

 

[Venom]

I've seen S. borealis that were nearly black. In general, this specimen just strikes me as a Steatoda--especially in regard to the shape of the abdomen.

 

[jsloan]

So, then, it is agreed: we need more and better pictures.

 

[Venom]

It would be nice.

 

[Oolon Colluphid]

I thought about that... but when I returned he was gone. Will keep that in mind, and keep my tweezers handy if I see him again. Havn't seen anything on a web yet, just this one that ran up the side of my house.

Thanks everyone!

 

[toolrick]

Looks like Latrodectus to me... Leg patern in both front legs on Latrodectus are much longer and thiner in the first segment than on Steatoda Sp. that's just for me... I believed this has been clarified in other thread by Widowman.

Ricardo