Help With IDing KZN Garden Spiders

[Ceratogyrus]

Its definitely one of the orb web spiders. Down to genus level I can't tell you though with certainty.

[Mehelya]

Thanks Ceratogyrus, That's good enough for me! I was wondering. That little green sac/jumping spider... Not maybe a Lynx spider? They seem to be quite variable in coloration and build?

Here are two more that I found last night while searching for moths and crickets for feeders.

The first one was similar to a L geometricus, but not quite the same...




And then this one was so thin, that even on manual focus, I took about 30-40 photos, just to get these two nearly focused shots. So, hopefully an ID can be made from this... I was thinking of some sort of mimic?

Trying to behave like a piece of stick perhaps?


Sadly, just out of focus...


Much appreciated as always!

[Ceratogyrus]

Very cool pics, especially the 2nd one.
First one is a mature male, and looks like possibly an Argyrodes. Possibly one of the button spiders though. Saw you posted the other pic on FB, this one may be one for there as well that Astri Leroy could help on.
The second one is called a single line spider (Uloboridae Miagrammopes sp.). A very cool family in that none of the spiders in the family possess venom. All other spiders families have venom, but most are not medically significant to people. These are very hard to spot, so well done.

[Mehelya]

Thanks Ceratogyrus, Yes, I did post it there, and will add the possible Argyrodes/button one as well today.

Thanks for the comment on the second one. A completely venom-less spider?! Wow! That is completely new to me! It's been hanging around an old rack I have from my gardening days, and has been there for a few weeks. I did notice that their "web", if you can call it that, is just single strands woven haphazardly in a few spots, anchored against sides and once or twice with each other strand (where I guess it gets it's name from?), and he will sit on the one line, only moving along the line if it doesn't notice any movement, or feels movement on the lines. Extremely hard to photograph sadly, as it is so darned small!

I will never have the inclination to keep a spider again, after my Chilean Rose Tarantula many years ago. That was a phobia-destroying idea that completely back-fired! But I have to admit that our arachnid diversity is astounding, even in small areas! I'm beginning to enjoy photographing these creatures, as they have better manners while I set up my camera. Think I will try and go out in the evenings again, and see what is floating around the countryside, outside of my backyard.

Ceratogyrus, thank you for the information, and the help! Think I need to get a bell's to you one day.

[Ceratogyrus]

The 'woven haphazardly' section is a 'sticky' silk which it uses to catch its prey. As far as I know, it shakes the web when a bug comes close, tangling the prey in the web. The spider uses its body as a connection between the 2 pieces of its single web which makes it easier to manipulate.

Pleasure on the ID's. Always happy to help where I can.

[Ceratogyrus]

By the way, my name Ruan Lambrechts if you see a random person commenting on your pics.

[Mehelya]

Thanks Ruan, figured who was who. And Norman has helped me with a few IDs on inverts over the years.

Seems like the vote is on Thwaitesia on this last one. Seems like the small yellow/greeny one is posing a bit of a problem. I have emailed one of the posters, and will post their results, based on the original-sized pics.

I used to have a phobia for snakes, now I keep some of Africa's most feared, and I have to admit that my fear of arachnids is also turning to one of "distant" fascination, without the need to keep them thankfully.

[Ceratogyrus]

Spiders are just as low maintenance as snakes and also make pretty good pets.

[Mehelya]

Ceratogyrus,would this be a Crab or Lynx spider of some sort?




And this one is a complete mystery to me...




Thanks in advance!

[Ceratogyrus]

As was posted on the FB page, its a crab spider.
The second spider looks like one of the false button spiders (Theridiidae Theridion sp.)

[Mehelya]

Thanks Ceratogyrus, yep, post here, and on spider club, so that those who aren't on spider club, can at least also see specimens, and get ID on them. Thanks B!

[Ceratogyrus]

Looks like I need to brush up on my true spiders.
Knew it was one of the Theridiidae, but didn't get the Achaearanea part as was identified by Astri Leroy.

[Mehelya]

Closer than I would've ever gotten B. I wouldn't know the one from the other.

[Mehelya]

[Kev]

It's amazing how many of these little creatures are right under our noses and once you start looking they seem to be everywhere.
I've been doing some "spring cleaning" around the house this holiday and been finding some cool things that the guys on facebook have been helping me out with.
I should do a post on here as well.
Anyhow I'm enjoying your post and as for that little jumping/sac spider I would also go with sac spider.