Long-jawed Orb Weavers
Common stretch spider (Tetragnatha extensa)
Web: orb web with open centre (no threads).
Habitat: tall grasses (such as reeds) and low vegetation close to water. op hoge grassen (bijv. riet) en lage vegetatie in de buurt van water. More strongly bound to water than the Silver stretch spider.
How to recognize:
- elongated body with long legs
- ♂: extended jaws (chelicerae)
- cephalothorax and legs brown
- abdomen yellow to green, with a silver shine and a dark branched figure. Underside with a broad, black stripe.
Looks similar to :
- Silver stretch spider. The underside of the cephalothorax (sternum) of the Common stretch spider has a clear, light spot in the middle. The sternum of the Silver stretch spider has a uniform colour.
Size
♀: 10-12 mm
♂: 6-9 mm
When?
♀: May till July
♂: May till July
Lesser garden spider (Metellina segmentata)
Web: small orb web that is suspended under an angle in grasses, herbs and low bushes.
Habitat: on vegetation in a lot of different habitats such as roadside, grassland, gardens, woodland. Often in large numbers.
How to recognize:
- cephalothorax with dark, Y-shaped figure
- abdomen white to yellow to reddish, with vague leaf figure.
Looks similar to:
- Can only be reliably distinguished from Metellina mengei based on the reproductive organs.
Size
♀: 6,5-9 mm
♂: 7-7,5 mm
When?
♀: August till October, but in mild winters, sometimes till early spring
♂: August till October
Silver stretch spider (Tetragnatha montana)
Web: orb web with open centre (no threads).
Habitat: occurs frequently on shaded banks, but also in bushes of gardens and parcs. Less bound to water compared to the Common stretch spider.
How to recognize:
- • elongated body with long legs
- • ♂: extended jaws (chelicerae)
- • cephalothorax and legs brown (legs often with dark spots)
- • abdomen yellowish, with a dark grey to greenish branched figure with a golden appearance.
Looks similar to:
- • the Common stretch spider (Tetragnatha extensa). The underside of the cephalothorax (sternum) of a Silver stretch spider has a uniform colour. The Common stretch spider has a clear, light spot in the middle.
Size
♀: 7-13 mm
♂: 6-8 mm
When?
♀: May till July
♂: May till July
