Meta bourneti (Simon, 1922)  |
| 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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