Britain`s Spiders – A Field Guide (WILDGuides of Britain & Europe, 21)

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Are UK spiders dangerous? An interview with the British Arachnologist Society Gardener's will have a lot of hands on experience when it comes to UK spiders - but are any of these species of UK spiders dangerous? They aren't bigger, and there aren't really more of them. What we can say is that because of the weather and our windows and doors remaining open, there are more observations of some of the larger species that enter our homes,' says Hine.

Legg, G. & Jones, R. E. 1988. Pseudoscorpions. Synopses of the British Fauna. Shrewsbury: Field Studies Council. As with its sister volume on harvestmen, this provides information on structure and biology of the British pseudoscorpions as well as keys and distribution maps. One of Britain’s largest spiders has been discovered on a Ministry of Defence training ground in Surrey having not been seen in the country for 21 years. Britain's Spiders: A Field Guide (Wild Guides) Second Edition - This is a guide to all 38 of the British families, focussing on spiders that can be identified in the field. Illustrated with a remarkable collection of photographs, it is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, including those new to spider identification. S. nobilis has been in Britain for over a century, probably after being introduced in ship cargo from the Canary Islands or Madeira. The species has been expanding its range north in Britain since first establishing itself on the south coast. Hine says that part of the increase in sightings is due to greater numbers and wider distribution, but also because people are more aware of them.

Up-to-date distribution maps, and charts showing adult seasonality Introductory chapters on the biology of spiders, and where, when and how to find them, including equipment needed in the field Every issue, The English Garden magazine features the most beautiful gardens from all across the UK and Ireland - both town and country plots, big and small. Inside, you will find invaluable practical advice from real gardeners, plantspeople and designers. There’s stunning photography from the world’s top garden photographers, as well as insightful writing from experts.

Hillyard, P. D. 2005. Harvestmen. Synopses of the British Fauna. Shrewsbury: Field Studies Council. This excellent summary of our harvestman fauna provides accounts of the structure and biology of our 25 species together with easy-to-use illustrated keys and distribution maps. There are around 650 species of spider in the UK, ranging from those with a leg span of just a couple of millimetres, to the 12cm leg span of the cardinal spider. Spiders are predators, and they use an impressive pair of fangs to catch prey, and to introduce venom. All spiders have fangs but not all spiders have fangs that are able to pierce human skin. Consequently, there are relatively few UK species that are able to bite us in any meaningful way. They eat a mixture of insects, lizards, mice and occasionally small birds. Where am I most likely to find a giant spider in my house? Is importation of foreign spiders into the UK a common occurrence? And are these species able to survive the winter?

Habitat: Under stones and logs with its main prey items – woodlice. Sometimes indoors, in porches or garages. Mouthparts shining pink, with long red fangs necessary to puncture tough crustacean shells. Can deliver painful nip if handled incautiously. Hine has been bitten three times by false widows, and each time has experienced 'a slight sting and a little numbness in the area'. A comprehensively updated edition of an identification guide that was named a Guardian Best Nature Book of the Year. Large house spider ( Tegenaria species) males start to move around seeking out more sedentary females. Although more commonly seen inside houses, they live perfectly happily outdoors too. Earlier in the year zebra spiders ( Salticus scenicus) lurk on sunny fences and walls. These are jumping spiders that leap on their prey rather than ensnaring them in webs. They have excellent binocular vision and can estimate how far away the prey is before pouncing. What can you tell us about the different kinds of webs that can be found in the UK and the species that they indicate?