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This spider has just spun a web outside our window and for the life of me, I cannot find any form of reference to identify it. Think it is a brown button spider, but not so sure.

I can really not help you to identify the spider.

What I can tell you is that they are amazing photos. If you could look past the fact that it is a fugly spider, it is very beautiful in its own right.

The golden orb web spider is my fav.

Tionet

No problem. We eventually found out that it is (he/she is still outside our window - hangs around at night and then packs up at around 6am) Neoscona subfusca in the spider family Araneidae - orb web weavers, one of the larger members of this family. Apparenty harmless to large mammals like us and our domesticated animals, and a good moth catcher (we definitely need more of them ).

As for the photo's, as much as I would like to take credit for such, alas it is the work of my significant other, Hayley. Even being petrified of 'creepy crawlies' she mustered the courage to get in close enough to take these great pictures (albeit with a standard 18 to 55 lens - still need to get her a decent macro lense).

RVFmal, what would the common name for be? Have you got any idea if this spider is poisonous? Where are they found?

That is a very good question. Will attempt to find that out too.

Apparently is not poisonous to humans and larger mammals (domesticated pets etc). Also a good moth catcher.

Right now, outside our window Will find out natural regions of prevalence as well.

Thanks RVFmal

Can someone please help me to identify this spider? I came across its’ shedding and found it sitting motionless in a corner…

Should I fear for my life?

@episcle, first of all welcome to the forums.

I'm not a spider expert and will have to get to the books tonight if I was to be of help, but what would help the experts, if they need it, is to know where you saw the spider? And obviously not "my kitchen" Where in South Africa?

Gauteng. Modderfontein.

I suspect it is what is referred to as a "rain spider", but i would like to be sure...

After having the living daylights scared out of me by those yellow/black legs a while back I go for rain spider too. They are huge and those stripes are totally invisible from the top. Totally harmless though.

It has positioned itself outside the main entrance to the building I work in. Needless to say I am currently using the back door. It hasn’t moved since I spotted it. Question: what should I do? (relocate?)

yar, its a rain spider. Palestes or something like that.
Not at all harmful, although they do have some whopping great fangs if you look closely.
i would just leave it there where it is. Smile and wave to it as you go in and out and it will become your friend. Fear not, it wont launch itself down at you to try and tie you up.

if you want to move her, or have a closer look (which is very useful) get a large clear glass or plastic bottle -with a wide mouth. approach slowly and carefully, then slip bottle over her, and then slid paper in underneath her tootsies. DONT WORRY IF SHE JUMPS!!!! she cant get out unless you drop the bottle (which would invariably land on your head, causing you to see stars and giant spiders..... the giant spider is a figment of your imagination.... it will only be a small spider, but will appear very large cos it will be sitting on your nose....)
Then you can examine her to your hearts content through the bottle. If she gallops about, place her in the fridge for 20 minutes to cool her down and she will slow down.
if you want to dry her and pin her out for detailed study, put bottle into freezer and freeze her - most humane execution method. Then after an hour or three, whip her out, pin her out on some polystyrene, arranging the legs spread out (otherwise she will be bunched up and you wont see much). Pin out her mouth parts and fangs too, so you can see them. Let her dry out in this position for a while and then remove pins. you now now a class 1 specimen for your arthropod collection!

Rain Spider Genus Palystes builds tennis-ball-sized egg nests of dried leaves in vegatation. They are nocturnal and curls their legs against their bodies when rests. Often comes indoors.

It is indeed a rain spider (Palystes sp.) It's the end of the Spider season right now. Many spiders are laying their eggs and dying. Your spider looks like a male although I cannot be sure. Anyway, if it bugs you just put it outside in a bush or vegetated area.

If spider freak you out rather put it in a jar and take it too you local nature reserve and let it go.

Check out http://www.scorpions.co.za/index.php?op ... &Itemid=30 for more info.

Hey Scorpion... I like your Username

Kind regards

Jonathan