British Arachnological Society
@britishspiders.bsky.social
The British Arachnological Society (BAS) is the UK’s only body devoted exclusively to the study of arachnids (spiders, harvestmen & pseudoscorpions): https://britishspiders.org.uk. To record GB spiders, please use https://irecord.org.uk/enter-srs-records.
Pinned
In bookshops from 30th January and available now on pre-order, @rlewington2.bsky.social's authoritative and exquisitely illustrated new @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social pocket guide to Britain's commonest and most easily recognizable spiders. Highly recommended! #spiders #arachnology
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
Blind cave spiders~
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
November 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Blind cave spiders~
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
Garden wildlife. Two Anyphaena numidas out and about on the shed last night. @britishspiders.bsky.social #londonwildlife
November 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Garden wildlife. Two Anyphaena numidas out and about on the shed last night. @britishspiders.bsky.social #londonwildlife
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
Ok, i think this one must be Palliduphantes pallidus rather than P.ericaeus? @britishspiders.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Ok, i think this one must be Palliduphantes pallidus rather than P.ericaeus? @britishspiders.bsky.social
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Spiders that experience vibrations, visual stimuli, both or none during development do not differ strongly in the size of their brain areas. This is a surprising finding. Even more surprising is that siblings react alike. See our new publication in the J. comp. Neurology.
doi.org/10.1002/cne....
🧪🕷
doi.org/10.1002/cne....
🧪🕷
November 22, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Spiders that experience vibrations, visual stimuli, both or none during development do not differ strongly in the size of their brain areas. This is a surprising finding. Even more surprising is that siblings react alike. See our new publication in the J. comp. Neurology.
doi.org/10.1002/cne....
🧪🕷
doi.org/10.1002/cne....
🧪🕷
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
A #Small garden spider, just hanging out
#BlueskyArtShow #photography #photographer #naturephotography
#BlueskyArtShow #photography #photographer #naturephotography
November 22, 2025 at 11:32 AM
A #Small garden spider, just hanging out
#BlueskyArtShow #photography #photographer #naturephotography
#BlueskyArtShow #photography #photographer #naturephotography
From the BBC : an enormous (106 sq.m) spider’s web created by two spider species in a cave in Greece
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/ar...
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/ar...
World's biggest spider's web discovered in cave
Scientists have studied what they believe is the world's biggest spider's web and found two species of spider are living side by side.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
From the BBC : an enormous (106 sq.m) spider’s web created by two spider species in a cave in Greece
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/ar...
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/ar...
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
RE-DISCOVERY #1!
Our trip to Okefenokee NWR has already resulted in a re-discovery of a long-lost species. Ceratinopsis bona Chamberlin & Ivie, 1944 was last seen in 1943, 82 years ago. In addition to possessing genitalia that match the descriptions, their black tibia IVs are also diagnostic.
Our trip to Okefenokee NWR has already resulted in a re-discovery of a long-lost species. Ceratinopsis bona Chamberlin & Ivie, 1944 was last seen in 1943, 82 years ago. In addition to possessing genitalia that match the descriptions, their black tibia IVs are also diagnostic.
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
RE-DISCOVERY #1!
Our trip to Okefenokee NWR has already resulted in a re-discovery of a long-lost species. Ceratinopsis bona Chamberlin & Ivie, 1944 was last seen in 1943, 82 years ago. In addition to possessing genitalia that match the descriptions, their black tibia IVs are also diagnostic.
Our trip to Okefenokee NWR has already resulted in a re-discovery of a long-lost species. Ceratinopsis bona Chamberlin & Ivie, 1944 was last seen in 1943, 82 years ago. In addition to possessing genitalia that match the descriptions, their black tibia IVs are also diagnostic.
The seasonal nature of Metellina mengei and segmentata records is only a pointer (and true in majority if cases) but not definitive.
November 17, 2025 at 6:28 PM
The seasonal nature of Metellina mengei and segmentata records is only a pointer (and true in majority if cases) but not definitive.
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
From a circuit of the Bay today: Metellina mengei (judging by its leg hairs), a Zebra spider (Salticus scenicus), 3 webs characteristic of the Missing sector orb web spider (Zygiella x-notata) & no idea about the final large beast, busy wrapping its latest catch. #arachnids #spiders
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
From a circuit of the Bay today: Metellina mengei (judging by its leg hairs), a Zebra spider (Salticus scenicus), 3 webs characteristic of the Missing sector orb web spider (Zygiella x-notata) & no idea about the final large beast, busy wrapping its latest catch. #arachnids #spiders
If the Metellina was photographed recently, it is much more likely to be Metellina segmentata than M. mengei. ID based on ventral leg hairs on metatarsi & tarsi of first pair of legs only applies to mature males … & yours is not an adult male.
Bottom right is a Noble False Widow (Steatoda nobilis)
Bottom right is a Noble False Widow (Steatoda nobilis)
November 17, 2025 at 6:02 PM
If the Metellina was photographed recently, it is much more likely to be Metellina segmentata than M. mengei. ID based on ventral leg hairs on metatarsi & tarsi of first pair of legs only applies to mature males … & yours is not an adult male.
Bottom right is a Noble False Widow (Steatoda nobilis)
Bottom right is a Noble False Widow (Steatoda nobilis)
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
Sunday book review: Spiders and Harvestmen of Yorkshire by @ecology-digest.bsky.social
Publisher: Pisces
Review: markavery.info/2025/11/16/s...
@ynuorg.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social @yorkshiredales.org.uk @northyorkmoors.org.uk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
Publisher: Pisces
Review: markavery.info/2025/11/16/s...
@ynuorg.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social @yorkshiredales.org.uk @northyorkmoors.org.uk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Sunday book review: Spiders and Harvestmen of Yorkshire by @ecology-digest.bsky.social
Publisher: Pisces
Review: markavery.info/2025/11/16/s...
@ynuorg.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social @yorkshiredales.org.uk @northyorkmoors.org.uk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
Publisher: Pisces
Review: markavery.info/2025/11/16/s...
@ynuorg.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social @yorkshiredales.org.uk @northyorkmoors.org.uk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
Another 'must-watch' video from the awesome @travismcenery.bsky.social, delving into the surprising sophistication of spiders' 'poppy-seed' brains.
I truly enjoyed the collaborative nature of making this video, and you might enjoy that mine is not the only face in it.
This topic is amazing.
youtu.be/_QF6kaOAuYg?...
This topic is amazing.
youtu.be/_QF6kaOAuYg?...
Spider Cognition: How Tiny Brains Do Mighty Things
YouTube video by Travis McEnery
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Another 'must-watch' video from the awesome @travismcenery.bsky.social, delving into the surprising sophistication of spiders' 'poppy-seed' brains.
Pleased to see @markavery.bsky.social's endorsement of @ecology-digest.bsky.social's atlas of Yorkshire's spiders and harvestmen, which we funded with the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union.
'If spiders are your thing, then this is a book for you, particularly, but not only, if you live in Yorkshire'
'If spiders are your thing, then this is a book for you, particularly, but not only, if you live in Yorkshire'
Sunday book review: Spiders and Harvestmen of Yorkshire by @ecology-digest.bsky.social
Publisher: Pisces
Review: markavery.info/2025/11/16/s...
@ynuorg.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social @yorkshiredales.org.uk @northyorkmoors.org.uk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
Publisher: Pisces
Review: markavery.info/2025/11/16/s...
@ynuorg.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social @yorkshiredales.org.uk @northyorkmoors.org.uk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Pleased to see @markavery.bsky.social's endorsement of @ecology-digest.bsky.social's atlas of Yorkshire's spiders and harvestmen, which we funded with the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union.
'If spiders are your thing, then this is a book for you, particularly, but not only, if you live in Yorkshire'
'If spiders are your thing, then this is a book for you, particularly, but not only, if you live in Yorkshire'
Yes, very much🤞 Our experience of trying to relocate some of our our most threatened spider species in the much more tractable habitat of GB suggests that you shouldn't give up for many decades!
November 16, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Yes, very much🤞 Our experience of trying to relocate some of our our most threatened spider species in the much more tractable habitat of GB suggests that you shouldn't give up for many decades!
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
If there were contest for smartest-dressed #spider, this dapper Nigma walckenaeri would surely be contender. Hope his good looks proved lucky: he would've had to approach object of his love carefully in her tunnel-like lair to avoid being killed and eaten. In Bungay, Suffolk, at end of last summer.
November 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
If there were contest for smartest-dressed #spider, this dapper Nigma walckenaeri would surely be contender. Hope his good looks proved lucky: he would've had to approach object of his love carefully in her tunnel-like lair to avoid being killed and eaten. In Bungay, Suffolk, at end of last summer.
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
November 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
Pumpkin Patch Tarantula!🕷️🎃
One of the most incredible spiders in the world, this Tarantula (Hapalopus sp.) lives in the Ecuadorian Amazon!🌳
When people think of Tarantulas, we mainly think of large, plain coloured spiders, but in the neotropics we enter a world of colour!🧡🖤
One of the most incredible spiders in the world, this Tarantula (Hapalopus sp.) lives in the Ecuadorian Amazon!🌳
When people think of Tarantulas, we mainly think of large, plain coloured spiders, but in the neotropics we enter a world of colour!🧡🖤
November 15, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Pumpkin Patch Tarantula!🕷️🎃
One of the most incredible spiders in the world, this Tarantula (Hapalopus sp.) lives in the Ecuadorian Amazon!🌳
When people think of Tarantulas, we mainly think of large, plain coloured spiders, but in the neotropics we enter a world of colour!🧡🖤
One of the most incredible spiders in the world, this Tarantula (Hapalopus sp.) lives in the Ecuadorian Amazon!🌳
When people think of Tarantulas, we mainly think of large, plain coloured spiders, but in the neotropics we enter a world of colour!🧡🖤
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
November 15, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
Ooh - just arrived. Looks good. The first of the three books I ordered and paid for half a year ago. Not that I ever go to Yorkshire these days.
November 15, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Ooh - just arrived. Looks good. The first of the three books I ordered and paid for half a year ago. Not that I ever go to Yorkshire these days.
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
Couple of #harvestmen from end of last summer: Dicranopalpus ramosus sens lat and Opilio canestrinii. Found together on garden trug used to collect apples. Probably fell in from same apple tree! Both very common in Britain: they were probably around your house this past summer too. Bungay, Suffolk.
November 14, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Couple of #harvestmen from end of last summer: Dicranopalpus ramosus sens lat and Opilio canestrinii. Found together on garden trug used to collect apples. Probably fell in from same apple tree! Both very common in Britain: they were probably around your house this past summer too. Bungay, Suffolk.
Yep, endlessly!
November 14, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Yep, endlessly!
Superb picture, thank you, James - Wackynaerias they certainly are! Apparently the headgear is associated with secretory glands that produce a nuptial gift that increases brood size when ingested.
November 14, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Superb picture, thank you, James - Wackynaerias they certainly are! Apparently the headgear is associated with secretory glands that produce a nuptial gift that increases brood size when ingested.
Reposted by British Arachnological Society
This Male Walckenaeria acuminata may be common but its a fantastic looking spider, since getting into Linys this Genus is so fasinating. And its great that the male and female of this species can be Identified with a hand Lens.
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
This Male Walckenaeria acuminata may be common but its a fantastic looking spider, since getting into Linys this Genus is so fasinating. And its great that the male and female of this species can be Identified with a hand Lens.
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social