Spiders in and around Torphins Wood, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Torphins is a village in upper Deeside, Aberdeenshire Scotland. There is nothing particularly special about the wood, it is a mixed species coniferous/deciduous wood, so things found there can probably be found in many other Scottish, British or even European woods. For more information on Torphins itself and the human population there go to Torphins.org.

Tegenaria duellica Uaully found in houses or out buildings, this one was found on a path at the edge of the woods. As with all tegenaria the males are more easily seen in late summer and autumn when they wander off in search of a mate. Male body length ranges from 10 -14 mm. Females look the same, but have a fatter body. More on Tegenaria duellica and similar spiders

Tegenaria atrica

Fully grown females have a body length of 11 - 16 mm, and males 10 - 14 mm.

The web is a sheet with a tubular retreat.

They are found in a vide variety of habitats.

For more on Tegenaria atrica and simial spiders.

Pardosa sp., a wolf spider.

Found year round in gardens and woods. The female is easier to spot in the summer as she carries her (usually beige or light coloured) egg sac around behind her.

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Trochosa sp., a wolf spider

In gardens and woods in silk lined burrows in the litter layer during the day, in the open when hunting at night. This is a female with her egg sac. She had one leg missing.

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