I know there is someone here who knows their spiders 😉

I spotted a strange tunnel shaped web on my allotment yesterday, just curious what native spider could make it?

The web is in the middle of a newly dug plot, the web was roughly 3-4cm wide and 10-15cm long? I did spot the spider, but it scuttled down its web tube, into the ground, it looked BIG, but I guess they all do 😉

If the web is still there tonight will take some pics if that helps.

Any ideas what type of UK spider can make this type of web?

Ta.

Its almost definitely a funnel web spider. Looks a fair size though

tunnel spider.

well known for stealing babies and children up to the age of 5… or midgets if they’re foolish enough to hold a convention close to a tunnel spider.

likes:

small people
motoGP
expensive liquor

dislikes:
gingersnaps
ginger kids
maggy thatcher

One of these??

Roper to the thread please 🙂

Does it eat baby Robins?

The web is in the middle of a newly dug plot

Ah, that doesn’t sound like the web of a native tunnel spider – much more likely to be that of the deadly Black Jumping Tunnel Spider. It probably got transported over from South America on a bunch of bananas 💡

DaRC_L – Member

Does it eat baby Robins?

LOL I hope not, I have a very tame Robin that I feed there.

Roper to the thread please

Thanks Woody, Roper if you are about and can help, thanks.

Black Jumping Tunnel Spider

did you mention jumping spiders?

Thats it… no photographs tonight then!

Will check to see if the Robin is OK mind. 😉

ernie…. don’t be racist. just cos its more of a trouble maker doesnt mean its the tunnel spiders foreign cousin.

racist.

watch out though, it might jump about on our women and jobs!

It sounds to me like it has been identified.
It could be a tube web spider, though quite a few spiders do or can make tube like webs. Without a photograph it is difficult to tell.
Things to look for are the spread of trip strands coming out of the web, possibly the tarsus of the legs poking out and maybe some bright coloured fangs. If you get a piece of long grass, gently twiddle it between your finger and thumb and touch a trip wire you may be able to entice it out. Don’t overdo the movements, it will be put off and hide away. If you have a tuning fork (I know everyone does really) take that instead, the vibrations work much better.
Also be prepared for it to dark out quite quickly.

If you can photograph it or the web I’m sure the STW mind may be able to give you an ID.

Just be careful..

Typical Aussie quote…

The Funnel Web spider can kill a man in ten minutes, or a Pom in five 🙄

I’d be wary of going near. It could be a badger cunningly disguised in a spider suit.