COMMON GARDEN SPIDER (Araneus diadematus) [female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Common Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus) or Cross Spider is of the family Araneidae which is in the genus Araneus. This widespread large orb-weaver spider occurs in Europe as well as North America. There are a number of colour variations and the pale distinctive cruciform markings on its back clearly identifies it.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

LESSER GARDEN SPIDER (Metellina segmentata) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Lesser Garden Spider (Metellina segmentata) is of the family Tetragnathidae which is in the genus Metellina.This is a common late summer and autumn species of orb spider. Seperate with care from the extremely similiar Summer Orbweaver (Metellina mengei) which tends to occure earlier in the season but they can overlap. 

 On female Lesser Garden Spider the black strip beneath the abdomen ends at the epigyne. On Summer Orbweaver the black stripe is more extensive and the male has long hairs on the underside of the fore tarsi. Examination by microscope is the only 100% reliable means of 

identification of these two species.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / RAW birds

 

RAFT SPIDER (Dolomedes fimbriatus) [Female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a semi-aquatic member of the family Pisauridaeone which is in the genus Dolomedes. It is one of Ireland’s largest spiders. Also known as the Hunting Spider or the Jesus Christ spider for its ability to walk on water. It occurs in sphagnum bogs. Main prey items include aquatic and terrestrial insects, invertebrates as well as tadpoles

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

RAFT SPIDER (Dolomedes fimbriatus) [Juvenile] Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a semi-aquatic member of the family Pisauridaeone which is in the genus Dolomedes. It is one of Ireland’s largest spiders. Also known as the Hunting Spider or the Jesus Christ spider for its ability to walk on water. It occurs in sphagnum bogs. Main prey items include aquatic and terrestrial  insects, invertebrates as well as tadpoles

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

RAFT SPIDER (Dolomedes fimbriatus) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE

Click here for detailed species information

The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a semi-aquatic member of the family Pisauridaeone which is in the genus Dolomedes. It is one of Ireland’s largest spiders. Also known as the Hunting Spider or the Jesus Christ spider for its ability to walk on water. It occurs in sphagnum bogs. Main prey items include aquatic and terrestrial  insects, invertebrates as well as tadpoles which it detects using its forelegs to sense any vibrations on the water surface. If threatened, it can submerge itself under water for up to 60 minutes.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

RED BELLIED JUMPING SPIDER (Philaeus chrysops) Skala Kallonis, Lesvos Island, Greece

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Red Bellied Jumping Spider (Philaeus chrysops) is a spider of the family Salticidae which is in the genus Philaeus. It occurs in the warmer parts of the Palearctic, from Portugal in the west to China in the east. This conspicuous species with its striking black and red colouration can grow up to 12mm in length and is commonly encountered in warm open type habitat. A wide variety of small invertebrates are preyed upon. On Lesvos, it can be seen from late March until early autumn.

RAFT SPIDER (Dolomedes fimbriatus) Girley Bog, Drewstown Woods, County Meath, Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a semi-aquatic member of the family Pisauridaeone which is in the genus Dolomedes. It is one of Ireland’s largest spiders. Also known as the Hunting Spider or the Jesus Christ spider for its ability to walk on water. It occurs in sphagnum bogs. Main prey items include aquatic and terrestrial  insects, invertebrates as well as tadpoles which it detects using its forelegs to sense any vibrations on the water surface. If threatened, it can submerge itself under water for up to 60 minutes.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds