Window spider - Amaurobius fenestralis - Family: Amaurobiidae

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Window spider - Amaurobius fenestralis
© Roger Key/English Nature

There are nearly 600 species of spider in Britain and many are found in gardens. None is harmful to people - or to plants, as all are exclusively carnivorous.

This species is a dark brown spider with a prominent pale oval ring marking. It is nocturnal and found under bark and stones, in crevices in masonry and around windows and sills, hence its name. Its web is characteristically very pale blue-grey or white, and the strands are 'fluffed' by the spider to tangle the feet of its insect prey. The web usually forms an open funnel leading to the spider's retreat in the deepest part of the crevice. The spider can be attracted from its lair by holding a sounding tuning fork against its web, presumably resembling the sound of a trapped insect.

Food

Predatory on many other invertebrates, including other spiders.

Prey

Aphids, Flies, Moths, Spiders and harvestmen