Meta bourneti  |
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| Click here for larger Meta bourneti images | ||
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| A very large and uncommon spider which is usually found in sites of complete darkness. It's fondness for caves has led to the common name of Cave Spider. Other sites where it can occur include cellars and ice houses. There are believed to be two sites where it occurs in Nottinghamshire, with one of these in the unexpected location of the Sherwood Forest CP Visitor Centre, where it is found underneath a cover accessing underground electrics. It was first discovered here by a British Arachnological Society survey team in 1978. In size, Meta bourneti is more than comparable to Tegenaria gigantea (the large spider often found in the bath) and is probably slightly larger. The adults are repulsed by light, but spiderlings are attracted to it. This way, Meta bourneti is able to move to and colonise new sites. | ||
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| Meta bourneti adults, photographed in October 2009 and April 2010 | ||
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| Meta bourneti sub-adults photographed April 2010. | ||
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| Meta bourneti spiderlings (2mm length) photographed April 2010. | ||
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| UK distribution of Meta
bourneti |
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 The UK distribution maps on eakringbirds.com are provided by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN Gateway) Each red square on the map indicates species present in 10km grid squares. Updated September 2011 |
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