Other interests. (Not for Arachnophobes)

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

As well as my passion for aviation and model making, Marie and I also have a keen interest in the world of mini-beasts, in particular Spiders. I was once a gibbering arachnophobe at the very sight of the things, Now I go looking for them! Living on the coast we also get some rare bugs flying into the house when they get blown across the English Channel! In particular various Moths and butterflies, but also some really strange things turn up. In the past year we've had 2 Western Conifer Seed Bugs arrive in the flat. They are big impressive creatures and the cat tries to catch them! Thankfully without success. Although an invasive species they are only ever photographed, recorded and let go. I also notify the relevant people as they are becoming established over here in small numbers. They were originally American but arrived in Europe on the timber ships some years ago. Now they are spreading to the UK. Anyway , here's just a few recent pics.

 Leptoglossus occidentalis , Western Conifer Seed Bug

 

Araneus diadematus , commonly called the Garden Cross Spider, This is one of our commonest spiders and is very distinctive. They are perfectly harmless and are usually found in the centre of a large Orb Web spun almost anywhere outdoors. They come in a variety of sizes and colours depending on sex and environment,  This is a collection of several photographed over the last few days in our friend's garden.

 

Segestria florentina , commonly known as the Tube Web Spider. 

Marie took this set on her phone as he was outside her office door. These are very impressive beasts one of the UKs largest spiders. They tend to hide in cracks or dark places where they form a tube like web with radiating lines with which to detect prey. Seen from the front under good lighting the chelicerae have a brilliant iridescent green shine. These are one of the UK spiders that if cornered , will bite, although not dangerous, the bite is actually quite painful for a few hours, rather like an intense bee sting. They were introduced to the UK on visiting ships and as such began to radiate out from dockside areas of the country, though are now becoming more common in other areas. If working in old buildings these will be the ones hiding in the cracks, so be careful where you put your hands! 

Thanks for viewing. I've got some more pics around somewhere of our Steatoda Nobilis, A Noble False Widow who overwintered with us last year. We called him Frank and he lived in the corner of our living room for a few months! (much to the consternation of some visitors who regarded him nervously from time to time! LOL) We never kill anything if we can help it, I believe in the sanctity of life for all creatures and will always try and spare them where possible. 

[needles 1,013]

I've always had my doubts about you Al', now I know why! 

[Captain Coffee 2,030]

Yet another reason (other than bandwidth hits) to beware opening a "Dodgy" titled post by Alan...lack of Phobia warnings.

 

Burn this thread with fire...webs and all, stomp on the ashes.

(Just kidding  ).

 

I used to also be arachnophobia having been tossed by a sadistic brother and his snake and spider loving friend into friend's hedge filled with garden spiders when i was around 5 years old. Not the kind of thing you shake off quickly or ever I used to think. Took spending a year living with a rescued tarantula who I spared from a coworker's boot, and housed in a spare fish tank refurnished as a spider retreat to overcome it...I fed it crickets for 12 months to the morning sight of raised shiny black inch long impossibly sharp fangs (Breakfast excitement, or Warning, or perhaps some of both?), and released it back to the nearest "safe" habitat based on research online far enough from structures to avoid another "wander in" , and have never been afraid of little spiders since.

[brett 2,315]

Interesting to look at and important for keeping the insect population down, they also look good on the bottom of my shoe.

[hifly 925]

Interesting stuff Al. I always seem to get a small spider camping in my car/s. Heaven knows what they get to eat.

[hlminx 301]

As a complete arachnophobe it would have been nice to have a warning first.. you know, the standard "if you dont like XYZ then look away now" disclaimer in the title...

 

At least I was only reviewing the forum on my tablet and not my 3x32's 

[mutley 4,498]

I edited the title Al 

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

3 hours ago, mutley said:

I edited the title Al 

No problem Joe, I guess I'm so blasé about them it didn't occur to me that some people may freak out.  

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

5 hours ago, hlminx said:

As a complete arachnophobe it would have been nice to have a warning first.. you know, the standard "if you dont like XYZ then look away now" disclaimer in the title...

 

At least I was only reviewing the forum on my tablet and not my 3x32's 

LOL, Sorry about that Steph. x

[SEATAC 400]

Creepy Alan, real creepy!

Here's a couple of shots of a commonly seen spider down here in Florida. Banana spiders we call 'em.  Otherwise known as a Golden Silk Orb Weaver. Beautiful as far as spiders go, but still creepy. They are rather large (up to 2 inches or 5.1 cm)

[SEATAC 400]

And one more for you.  This one is everywhere late summer down here.  Spiny orb-weaver. I literally walk into two a day in my back yard. Usually face first.  Probably two dozen spinning webs in my yard right now.

[brett 2,315]

You would think Noah would have left all these insects off the boat.

[Lucy.P 168]

I am a total arachnophobe, and so shuddered at those pictures, I would like to be able to conquer my fear, especially as our British spiders are generally harmless, but wouldn't have any idea how to even begin.

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

5 hours ago, SEATAC said:

Creepy Alan, real creepy!

Here's a couple of shots of a commonly seen spider down here in Florida. Banana spiders we call 'em.  Otherwise known as a Golden Silk Orb Weaver. Beautiful as far as spiders go, but still creepy. They are rather large (up to 2 inches or 5.1 cm)

That's a beauty!

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

5 hours ago, SEATAC said:

And one more for you.  This one is everywhere late summer down here.  Spiny orb-weaver. I literally walk into two a day in my back yard. Usually face first.  Probably two dozen spinning webs in my yard right now.

A real cracker, we don't get many like that. There are a few spiny ones over here but only ever seen one of them.

[hlminx 301]

Thanks for updating the message title Joe ☺

For the next 6 months the windows in our house will be closed and locked, plus the pussycat will be instructed to deal with them..