Shreyas Kuchibhotla
@snake-spider-et-al.bsky.social
Biology DPhil student at Oxford - Snakes, spiders and centipedes (and their toxins) | Writer | TEDx speaker | Photographer
What a privilege to have seen both ends of the UK's spider size spectrum - the magnificent Cardinal Spider (Tegenaria parietina) and the diminutive Theonoe minutissima within a few days of each other - a 50x difference in legspan!
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 6:12 PM
What a privilege to have seen both ends of the UK's spider size spectrum - the magnificent Cardinal Spider (Tegenaria parietina) and the diminutive Theonoe minutissima within a few days of each other - a 50x difference in legspan!
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Day 14 - N for Nesticus (Nesticidae) - inhabitants of the dark
Day 15 - O for Oonops (Oonopidae) - goblin spiders
Day 16 - P for (cf) Pritha (Filistatidae) - crevice meshweavers
#arachtober A-Z
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Will add the rest soon!
Day 15 - O for Oonops (Oonopidae) - goblin spiders
Day 16 - P for (cf) Pritha (Filistatidae) - crevice meshweavers
#arachtober A-Z
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Will add the rest soon!
October 21, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Day 14 - N for Nesticus (Nesticidae) - inhabitants of the dark
Day 15 - O for Oonops (Oonopidae) - goblin spiders
Day 16 - P for (cf) Pritha (Filistatidae) - crevice meshweavers
#arachtober A-Z
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Will add the rest soon!
Day 15 - O for Oonops (Oonopidae) - goblin spiders
Day 16 - P for (cf) Pritha (Filistatidae) - crevice meshweavers
#arachtober A-Z
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Will add the rest soon!
I am dangerously behind on #arachtober:
Day 11 - K for Koppe (Liocranidae) - Asian ground-hunters
Day 12 - L for Leucauge (Tetragnathidae) - colourfully patterned orbweavers
Day 13 - M for Mastigusa (Cybaeidae) - palps that need no introduction
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Day 11 - K for Koppe (Liocranidae) - Asian ground-hunters
Day 12 - L for Leucauge (Tetragnathidae) - colourfully patterned orbweavers
Day 13 - M for Mastigusa (Cybaeidae) - palps that need no introduction
@britishspiders.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 9:32 AM
I am dangerously behind on #arachtober:
Day 11 - K for Koppe (Liocranidae) - Asian ground-hunters
Day 12 - L for Leucauge (Tetragnathidae) - colourfully patterned orbweavers
Day 13 - M for Mastigusa (Cybaeidae) - palps that need no introduction
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Day 11 - K for Koppe (Liocranidae) - Asian ground-hunters
Day 12 - L for Leucauge (Tetragnathidae) - colourfully patterned orbweavers
Day 13 - M for Mastigusa (Cybaeidae) - palps that need no introduction
@britishspiders.bsky.social
#arachtober A-Z:
Day 9: I is for Indoxysticus - a monotypic crab spider genus with a very distinct abdomen pattern
Day 10: J is for Jerzego - an oddly named genus of jumping spiders that seem to mimic ants and hate being photographed
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Day 9: I is for Indoxysticus - a monotypic crab spider genus with a very distinct abdomen pattern
Day 10: J is for Jerzego - an oddly named genus of jumping spiders that seem to mimic ants and hate being photographed
@britishspiders.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM
#arachtober A-Z:
Day 9: I is for Indoxysticus - a monotypic crab spider genus with a very distinct abdomen pattern
Day 10: J is for Jerzego - an oddly named genus of jumping spiders that seem to mimic ants and hate being photographed
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Day 9: I is for Indoxysticus - a monotypic crab spider genus with a very distinct abdomen pattern
Day 10: J is for Jerzego - an oddly named genus of jumping spiders that seem to mimic ants and hate being photographed
@britishspiders.bsky.social
#arachtober A-Z:
Day 6 - F for Floronia - the chameleon spider
Day 7 - G for Gnaphosa (the best spider genus in the best spider family, no other opinions accepted)
Day 8 - H for Heteropoda - giant huntsman spiders (pictured is the delightful H. davidbowie)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Day 6 - F for Floronia - the chameleon spider
Day 7 - G for Gnaphosa (the best spider genus in the best spider family, no other opinions accepted)
Day 8 - H for Heteropoda - giant huntsman spiders (pictured is the delightful H. davidbowie)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 6:19 PM
#arachtober A-Z:
Day 6 - F for Floronia - the chameleon spider
Day 7 - G for Gnaphosa (the best spider genus in the best spider family, no other opinions accepted)
Day 8 - H for Heteropoda - giant huntsman spiders (pictured is the delightful H. davidbowie)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Day 6 - F for Floronia - the chameleon spider
Day 7 - G for Gnaphosa (the best spider genus in the best spider family, no other opinions accepted)
Day 8 - H for Heteropoda - giant huntsman spiders (pictured is the delightful H. davidbowie)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
D is for Dysdera (Dysderidae), the iconic woodlouse spiders
and E for Euryopis (Theridiidae) - master ant-hunters
@britishspiders.bsky.social
and E for Euryopis (Theridiidae) - master ant-hunters
@britishspiders.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 12:18 PM
D is for Dysdera (Dysderidae), the iconic woodlouse spiders
and E for Euryopis (Theridiidae) - master ant-hunters
@britishspiders.bsky.social
and E for Euryopis (Theridiidae) - master ant-hunters
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Don't know if I'll have time for a daily #arachtober find this year, so I'll go with an A-Z of genera instead.
A for Amyciaea (Thomisidae), an ant-mimic
B for Bijoaraneus (Araneidae) - 'kidney garden spider'
C for Corinnomma (Corinnidae), another ant-mimic
@britishspiders.bsky.social
A for Amyciaea (Thomisidae), an ant-mimic
B for Bijoaraneus (Araneidae) - 'kidney garden spider'
C for Corinnomma (Corinnidae), another ant-mimic
@britishspiders.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Don't know if I'll have time for a daily #arachtober find this year, so I'll go with an A-Z of genera instead.
A for Amyciaea (Thomisidae), an ant-mimic
B for Bijoaraneus (Araneidae) - 'kidney garden spider'
C for Corinnomma (Corinnidae), another ant-mimic
@britishspiders.bsky.social
A for Amyciaea (Thomisidae), an ant-mimic
B for Bijoaraneus (Araneidae) - 'kidney garden spider'
C for Corinnomma (Corinnidae), another ant-mimic
@britishspiders.bsky.social
In the UK, finding a new salticid is a privilege. In Singapore, over 10 species in 5 hours isn’t unusual!
Here’s a selection - from left: Epeus sp., Viciria pavesii, Chalcovietnamicus daiqini and the iconic and intelligent spider-hunter Portia fimbriata.
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Here’s a selection - from left: Epeus sp., Viciria pavesii, Chalcovietnamicus daiqini and the iconic and intelligent spider-hunter Portia fimbriata.
@britishspiders.bsky.social
September 28, 2025 at 11:28 AM
In the UK, finding a new salticid is a privilege. In Singapore, over 10 species in 5 hours isn’t unusual!
Here’s a selection - from left: Epeus sp., Viciria pavesii, Chalcovietnamicus daiqini and the iconic and intelligent spider-hunter Portia fimbriata.
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Here’s a selection - from left: Epeus sp., Viciria pavesii, Chalcovietnamicus daiqini and the iconic and intelligent spider-hunter Portia fimbriata.
@britishspiders.bsky.social
No. 2 and 1 in the weirdest spider palps contest (UK chapter).
Left: Labulla thoracica, right: Mastigusa arietina.
Lucky enough to see both within a week, and finally photograph Mastigusa properly (thanks to @chalkspring.bsky.social)
@tylanberry.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social
Left: Labulla thoracica, right: Mastigusa arietina.
Lucky enough to see both within a week, and finally photograph Mastigusa properly (thanks to @chalkspring.bsky.social)
@tylanberry.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social
September 26, 2025 at 11:41 AM
No. 2 and 1 in the weirdest spider palps contest (UK chapter).
Left: Labulla thoracica, right: Mastigusa arietina.
Lucky enough to see both within a week, and finally photograph Mastigusa properly (thanks to @chalkspring.bsky.social)
@tylanberry.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social
Left: Labulla thoracica, right: Mastigusa arietina.
Lucky enough to see both within a week, and finally photograph Mastigusa properly (thanks to @chalkspring.bsky.social)
@tylanberry.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social
New species are great, but it's not often I get to tick off a new family. Psechrus sp. (Psechridae), my 46th wild spider family. Technically added Ctenidae moments earlier with a Bowie sp. but that one didn't want to stay still for photos so I will wait...
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
July 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM
New species are great, but it's not often I get to tick off a new family. Psechrus sp. (Psechridae), my 46th wild spider family. Technically added Ctenidae moments earlier with a Bowie sp. but that one didn't want to stay still for photos so I will wait...
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
On the other hand, I almost didn't bother photographing my first-ever Sintula corniger because it looked similar with the elongated palps and large PMEs.
Mermessus (left), Sintula (right) - the darkened tibia are excellent ID features for narrowing down UK linys
Mermessus (left), Sintula (right) - the darkened tibia are excellent ID features for narrowing down UK linys
April 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM
On the other hand, I almost didn't bother photographing my first-ever Sintula corniger because it looked similar with the elongated palps and large PMEs.
Mermessus (left), Sintula (right) - the darkened tibia are excellent ID features for narrowing down UK linys
Mermessus (left), Sintula (right) - the darkened tibia are excellent ID features for narrowing down UK linys
Looked for well over a year in perfect habitat at known sites when all I had to do was wait for one to cross the path!
Zelotes petrensis, Nationally Rare (though likely to change to NS?)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Zelotes petrensis, Nationally Rare (though likely to change to NS?)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
April 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Looked for well over a year in perfect habitat at known sites when all I had to do was wait for one to cross the path!
Zelotes petrensis, Nationally Rare (though likely to change to NS?)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Zelotes petrensis, Nationally Rare (though likely to change to NS?)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
What are the odds? My friend had the same aesthetic vision with Gnaphosa lugubris at Durdle Door last year!
April 5, 2025 at 10:52 PM
What are the odds? My friend had the same aesthetic vision with Gnaphosa lugubris at Durdle Door last year!
I assume this is the same male you photographed but just in case
Truly stunning spider!
Truly stunning spider!
April 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I assume this is the same male you photographed but just in case
Truly stunning spider!
Truly stunning spider!
And out like clockwork in late March - my annual male Amaurobius ferox. Amazing palps on these guys!
Stack of 18 images
#spiders #arachnology #winterspiders
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Stack of 18 images
#spiders #arachnology #winterspiders
@britishspiders.bsky.social
March 18, 2025 at 8:47 PM
And out like clockwork in late March - my annual male Amaurobius ferox. Amazing palps on these guys!
Stack of 18 images
#spiders #arachnology #winterspiders
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Stack of 18 images
#spiders #arachnology #winterspiders
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Always nice to see the first Salticus of the year!
#spiders #arachnology
@britishspiders.bsky.social
#spiders #arachnology
@britishspiders.bsky.social
March 6, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Always nice to see the first Salticus of the year!
#spiders #arachnology
@britishspiders.bsky.social
#spiders #arachnology
@britishspiders.bsky.social
A tale of two lynxes from April 2024 - I was chasing the Hamataliwa (top) for a photo while it kept leaping from leaf to leaf when I noticed this rather pallid Oxyopes sp. (bottom) on the neighbouring leaf.
I like the framing but seem to have messed up the stack…
@britishspiders.bsky.social
I like the framing but seem to have messed up the stack…
@britishspiders.bsky.social
February 28, 2025 at 12:25 PM
A tale of two lynxes from April 2024 - I was chasing the Hamataliwa (top) for a photo while it kept leaping from leaf to leaf when I noticed this rather pallid Oxyopes sp. (bottom) on the neighbouring leaf.
I like the framing but seem to have messed up the stack…
@britishspiders.bsky.social
I like the framing but seem to have messed up the stack…
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Red weaver-ant mimic (Myrmaplata plataleoides)
February 17, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Red weaver-ant mimic (Myrmaplata plataleoides)
February 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Erigonella hiemalis, Antistea elegans and my first ever encounter with the beloved Spitting spider (Scytodes thoracica) #winterspiders [4/4]
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
February 4, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Erigonella hiemalis, Antistea elegans and my first ever encounter with the beloved Spitting spider (Scytodes thoracica) #winterspiders [4/4]
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Theridiosoma gemmosum (NS), Porrhomma cf campbelli (NS), Coelotes terrestris (NS), Cicurina cicur (NS) [3/4] #winterspiders
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
February 4, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Theridiosoma gemmosum (NS), Porrhomma cf campbelli (NS), Coelotes terrestris (NS), Cicurina cicur (NS) [3/4] #winterspiders
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Minyriolus pusillus, Centromerus prudens, Pholcomma gibbum, Haplodrassus silvestris (NS) [2/4] #winterspiders
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
February 4, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Minyriolus pusillus, Centromerus prudens, Pholcomma gibbum, Haplodrassus silvestris (NS) [2/4] #winterspiders
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
A merry band of #spiders, most of them lifers, from a very eventful January! #winterspiders [1/4]
Taranucnus setosus (NS), Walckenaeria corniculans (NR), Tallusia experta, Sintula corniger (NS)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Taranucnus setosus (NS), Walckenaeria corniculans (NR), Tallusia experta, Sintula corniger (NS)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
February 4, 2025 at 1:45 PM
A merry band of #spiders, most of them lifers, from a very eventful January! #winterspiders [1/4]
Taranucnus setosus (NS), Walckenaeria corniculans (NR), Tallusia experta, Sintula corniger (NS)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Taranucnus setosus (NS), Walckenaeria corniculans (NR), Tallusia experta, Sintula corniger (NS)
@britishspiders.bsky.social
One of the Giant Huntsman Spiders (Heteropoda spp.) that abound under stones in southern India. They are unfathomably fast but surprisingly cooperative for photos once they settle down.
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
January 31, 2025 at 12:35 PM
One of the Giant Huntsman Spiders (Heteropoda spp.) that abound under stones in southern India. They are unfathomably fast but surprisingly cooperative for photos once they settle down.
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social