Page 2 · Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders (Linyphiidae) - 287 Species, Identification & Facts

Linyphia hortensis

Size about 4 mm. The male has a dark brown rather cylindrical abdomen that usually has two pale patches at the top. The female is broader bodied and more strongly marked. The spider is found on low vegetation, especially dog's-mercury, mostly but not

Linyphia triangularis

The female is about 6 mm and the male slightly smaller at 5 mm. A small but well-marked spider with a tuning fork shaped mark on the carapace behind the eyes. It can be found in bushes and vegetation. It is abundant and widespread in Britain.

Macrargus rufus

A small spider with a length of little more than 3.5mm. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size an

Maso gallicus

Length 1.4 to 2.2 mm. Grey-brown, 3 large spines on femur I & II. Identification of this species requires examination of the genitalia. http://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Summary/s/Maso+gallicus No additional images available for this spec

Maso sundevalli

Microscopic examination of genitalia is required to confirm identity. Females year round but peak time is in summer. http://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Summary/s/Maso+sundevalli

Mermessus fradeorum

Identification: Small differences in epigynum and by the different shape of the dorsal plate. In males differences in the shape of the embolic division and the papal tibia. There is also a trichobothria on metatarsus IV. Male:

Mermessus maculatus

In the 1940s, when Kaston wrote that it was "our commonest species of the genus" in Spiders of Connecticut, the genus he was referring to was Eperigone, named by Crosby & Bishop in 1928. Much later, according to the World Spider Catalog, it was deter

Mermessus tridentatus

Mermessus tridentatus is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It was described by America arachnologist James Henry Emerton in 1882.

Metopobactrus prominulus

This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK species than any other. Most are small and need microscopic examination to identify. No additional images available for this species.

Micrargus herbigradus

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. Usually found in moss, leaf li

Micrargus subaequalis

Males 1.6 to 2 mm, females 1.5 to 2.2mm. Prosoma light to dark brown. Opisthosoma grey. This species can only be confirmed by examination of the genitalia of mature specimens. Grassland, gardens and damp places such as marshland grass, woodland leaf

Common Threaded Sheetweaver

Microlinyphia mandibulata

Microlinyphia mandibulata is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States.

Microlinyphia pusilla

This species displays strong sexual dimorphism: The male is black and shiny with a narrow abdomen that often has two white spots, and with a body length (excluding legs) of around 5 mm; The female is slightly larger with a much plumper, slivery abdom

Microneta viaria

A small (2 to 3mm) sheetweb spider. Positive identification requires careful examination of male palps (4-5 long spines on patella) or female epigyne. Usually found in woodland litter and leaf litter under scrub and in hedgerows. Sometimes found in g

Monocephalus fuscipes

This is a very small (2 mm) spider. The colouring is variable, but the abdomen is usually brown or black. Confirmation of this species requires examination of the genitals of mature specimens. Confirmation of this species requires examination of the

Neriene clathrata

The abdominal markings often vary in intensity, but usually show some mottling and often a whitish area towards the head. The species is found in a wide range of habitats including grassland, heathland, marshes, scrub, woodland and gardens where it o

Neriene digna

Identification: Palp Epigynum In this case it's the side view that's most diagnostic. The profile shape of the protruding epigynum that is the giveaway - not seen in either of the 2 other species found in the region. The dorsal and ventral abdomen co

Neriene montana

It is recognised by the dark brown radiating lines on the carapace, a dark-edged brown abdomen with pale mottled sides and annulated legs. It builds a horizontal web in bushes, etc.

Neriene peltata

The carapace has a dark medial band which broadens to cover the head. The abdomen has a brown band with zig-zag edges. The legs are unmarked. This is a common and widespread species in Britain.

Neriene variabilis

Identification: Profile of abdomen on male: Palp Epigynum

Oedothorax agrestis

Body length 2 to 3 mm. Prosoma brown to dark brown, distinctly darker radial stripes. Legs yellow-orange. Opisthosoma blackish. Males distinguishable from the palps, particular the tibia. Females can be difficult to determine. Confirmation of this sp

Oedothorax apicatus

This is a very small, dark bodied spider with red/brown legs. The species is a frequent aeronaut that occurs in most habitats. It is characteristic of open disturbed habitats such as disturbed grasslands, agricultural fields and river shingles. All y

Oedothorax fuscus

Females 2.1 to 3.0 mm, males 2.0 to 2.3 mm. Prosoma (cephalothorax) brown-orange-brown, male: with a crown. Opisthosoma (abdomen) grey dorsally with lighter longitudinal stripes. Female epigyne and male pedipalps are characteristic. Unless identified

Oedothorax gibbosus

Males: 2.0 to 2.3 mm. Females: 2.4 to 3.2 mm. Prosoma brown, radial stripes and margin darker. Male: with high, rounded hump, anteriorly with bipartite, densely bristled groove (gibbosus-form) or with broad-conical hump (tuberosus-form). Legs yellow-

Oedothorax retusus

Males 2 mm, females 2.5 to 3 mm. Prosoma light to dark brown, margin and radial stripes darker, steeply ascending behind eyes. Legs yellow-orange. Opisthosoma grey. Tibial spines: 2-2-2-2 / TmIV: no / TmI: 0.34-0.44 Confirmation of this species requi

Tricorn Dwarf Weaver

Oedothorax trilobatus

Oedothorax trilobatus is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States, Canada, and Russia.

Oreophantes recurvatus

Identification: Not meant to be diagnostic by itself, but this species has unusually long, slender legs; femur I is nearly twice as long as the length of the cephalothorax, and tibia I is longer than femur I. The male's pedipalp or female's epigynum

Origanates rostratus

Identification: Palp Epigynum One identifying character: the large oval cephalic pits just behind the posterior lateral eyes (Kaston, 1948). The male has a very distinctive raised cephalic lobe (fig. 35.152 on page 138 of SONA, for those who have it)

Ostearius melanopygius

This is a very small spider. The male has a 2 mm body length and is smaller than the female which has a 3 mm body length. The uniformly orange-red abdomen is most distinctive, whilst the head is darker almost back. There is also a blackish patch at t

Palliduphantes ericaeus

Male body length: 1.3 to 1.9 mm, Female body length: 1.3 to 2.4 mm. Prosoma yellow-brown, with dark margin. Legs yellowish. Opisthosoma yellow-grey. Male palp with slightly serrated end of lamella. Epigyne with flat scapus, hardly protruding. Lateral

Palliduphantes pallidus

This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK species than any other. Most are small and need microscopic examination to identify. No additional images available for this species.

Pelecopsis parallela

Confirmation of this species requires examination of the genitals of mature specimens. Occurs in a variety of habitats including moss, detritus in woods, under stones and grasslands. Crocker & Daws (1996) recorded the species in disused quarries, on

Pityohyphantes subarcticus

Identification: Very similar in appearance to P. costatus . Palp Epigynum

Pocadicnemis juncea

Males: 1.7 to 1.8 mm, females: 1.9 to 2 mm. Prosoma yellow-brown, often blackish. Legs yellowish-brown. Opisthosoma dark grey-black. Confirmation requires microscopic examination of the genitalia of adult specimens. Vegetation, gardens, grassland, ar

Pocadicnemis pumila

Pocadicnemis pumila sensu stricta

Length 1.8 to 2.3mm. Prosoma yellow-brown to brown, often also blackish. Legs yellowish-brown. Opisthosoma dark grey to black. Examination of the genitalia is required to confirm this species. Occurs in a range of habitats including grasslands, moorl

Pocobletus coroniger

Identification: Very uniquely marked; a very small, dark spider with white spots and banded legs. See figure 14 in Gertsch & Archer 1942 ( 6 ) . Page created based on this specimen:

Poeciloneta lyrica

Poeciloneta lyrica is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in North America.

Porrhomma convexum

This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK species than any other. Most are small and need microscopic examination to identify. No additional images available for this species.

Porrhomma microphthalmum

Unless identified by a recognised expert, the specimen should be examined with a microscope and photos showing details of genitals should be provided. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characte

Porrhomma pygmaeum

Length 2 or 3 mm. This is a small dark blackish spider with paler legs. The main habitat for this species is in damp marshy places. However it is a common aeronaut and can be found in many habitats at all levels, from woodland leaf litter, through gr

Prinerigone vagans

Identification of this species "Requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically examination of the genitalia." Bee, L., Oxford, G., & Smith, H. (2020). Britain's Spiders: A Field Guide. Second Edition. Princeton University Pres

Saaristoa abnormis

Length 3-4mm. Prosoma red-brown with dark margin. Sternum red-brown, with black margin. Chelicerae dark brown, robust. Legs yellowish-brown, robust. Opisthosoma dark grey, almost black. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is required to confirm

Saaristoa sammamish

Saaristoa sammamish is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States.

Savignia frontata

Length 1.5 to 2 mm. Brownish-black with yellow-brown legs. Male carapace raised in a highly characteristic projection bearing a tuft of hairs. Tibial spines 2-2-1-1; TmIV no; TmI 0.47-0.53. Structure of adult genitalia characteristic. Confirmation of

Scotinotylus formicarius

Scotinotylus formicarius is a species of sheet weaver found in the United States. It was described by Dondale & Redner in 1972.

Scotinotylus vernalis

Identification: Epigynum (undissected, ventral, dorsal)

Sisicottus quoylei

Sisicottus quoylei is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States and Canada.

Souessa spinifera

Souessa is a monotypic genus of North American sheet weavers containing the single species, Souessa spinifera. It was first described by C. R. Crosby & S. C. Bishop in 1936, and has only been found in the United States.

Spirembolus novellus

Spirembolus novellus is a species of sheet weaver found in the United States. It was described by Millidge in 1980.

Horse-head spider

Stemonyphantes lineatus

Relatively easy to identify, this is a stunningly marked and colourful spider. The pinkish mottled body has a darker central band of varying strength. The head is light brown and also has a darker central line. Usually found at or near ground level i

Tachygyna vancouverana

Tachygyna vancouverana is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States and Canada.

Tallusia experta

2.5 to 3.5 mm, prosoma reddish brown, legs red-brown, opisthosoma grey-black. Tibial spines: 2-2-2-2 / TmIV: no / TmI: 0.34-0.44 Confirmation of this species requires examination of the genitalia of mature specimens. Widespread, particularly in damp

Tapinocyba praecox

This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK species than any other. Most are small and need microscopic examination to identify. No additional images available for this species.

Tennesseellum formica

Identification: "Carapace elongated-oval, light yellow-orange, shiny, strongly granulate (Fig. 16); suffused with dark gray along margin and radiating lines; fovea present. Legs light yellow-orange, femur a shade darker Abdomen in males cylindrical,

Tenuiphantes flavipes

A small, black bodied spider with pale yellowy-brown legs. Predominantly a woodland species occurring in leaf litter and undergrowth. It may also be found in a variety of other situations including grasslands, heaths and marshes, generally at ground

Tenuiphantes sabulosus

Tenuiphantes sabulosus is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in North America.

Tenuiphantes tenuis

Males: 2 to 3.2 mm, females: 2 to 4.3 mm. Prosoma yellow-brown, not annulated. Legs yellow-brown. Opisthosoma whitish with paired chevrons. Confirmation requires microscopic examination of the genitalia of adult specimens. Vegetation, gardens, grassl

Tenuiphantes zimmermanni

A small and quite distinctive spider, but there are similar species and identification really requires examination under a microscope. A woodland species found in leaf litter and under logs. https://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Summary/s/Te

Tiso vagans

Body length 1.9-2.3mm. Prosoma brown to dark brown, radial stripes and narrow margin darker. Legs yellow-brown. Opisthosoma grey-black. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is required to confirm this species. In open, damp localities. Generally

Trematocephalus cristatus

Length: 2.0 to 2.6 mm. Legs red-orange. Opisthosoma black-grey. Prosoma red-orange, with black eye region and median spot. Males seem to have a hole in their heads. This is actually a projection forward from the prosoma (carapace) which rests in a gr

Vermontia thoracica

Identification: "Orange-brown to deep brown, with dusky markings and margins. Abdomen: grey to black. Sternum: yellow to orange, suffused with black. Legs: yellow to orange-brown." Epigynum: ventral/dorsal

Walckenaeria acuminata

This spider is about 4 mm long and has a dark, almost black head and abdomen, and orangey red legs. The male is quite striking as his eyes sit in two groups at the top and middle of a slender tower more than twice the height of the head itself. Occur

Walckenaeria antica

Males 1.75 to 2.3 mm, females 2.0 to 2.6 mm. Prosoma red-brown to dark brown, radial stripes and margin darker. Legs red-orange with dark tibia. Opisthosoma grey-black. Identification of this species requires microscopic examination of the genitalia

Walckenaeria atrotibialis

Length 2-3mm. Prosoma light to red-brown with dark radial stripes. Male prosome elevated step-like anteriorly, with distinct depression in the middle of dorsal line. Identification requires microscopic examination of genitals. A ground-dwelling spide

Walckenaeria auranticeps

Identification: "Bright orange . The male has a broad, upright horn in the ocular area." Femora orange but the remaining segments are dark blackish brown. Epigynum: W. lepida is sometimes found in the same habitats. "The epigynum of W. fusciceps is s

Walckenaeria carolina

Identification: "Glossy orange-red to chestnut brown with blackish margins; not significantly darkened anteriorly." Anterior of carapace is raised (more pronounced in males). Abdomen gray Palp: Carapace pattern similar to W. pallida

Walckenaeria castanea

Identification: "Pale brown to chestnut brown, sometimes rather darker anteriorly . The male has anteriorly a small lobe with large holes and sulci on its sides; the lobe carries the posterior median eyes. Palp: Epigynum: ventral/dorsal

Walckenaeria columbia

Identification: "Orange-brown to dark brown, with dusky markings. Abdomen:grey to black." Palp

Walckenaeria communis

Identification: "Orange to deep reddish orange in female, darkened anteriorly, often to almost black. The male carapace is similarly colored, but the anterior darkening is much less pronounced or even absent . Recently molted specimens are paler in c

Walckenaeria cornuella

Identification: "Orange to deep orange, with faint dusky markings. The male has a small projection or "horn" in the ocular area. Abdomen: grey-black." Epigynum

Walckenaeria cucullata

This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK species than any other. Most are small and need microscopic examination to identify. No additional images available for this species.

Walckenaeria cuspidata

This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK species than any other. Most are small and need microscopic examination to identify. No additional images available for this species.

Walckenaeria digitata

Identification: Carapace: brown, with dusky markings and margins. Abdomen: uniformly black in the male, grey suffused with black posteriorly around the spinnerets in the female." Voucher male habitus, pedipalp:

Walckenaeria directa

Identification: "Deep chestnut brown, with dusky margins and markings. The male bears anteriorly a horn which comprises a large upper section and a small lower section separated by a cleft . The anterior hairs on the horn appear under the binocular m

Walckenaeria dondalei

Identification: "Brown to deep chestnut brown, with dusky markings; lightly darkened anteriorly in female . The male carapace has a fairly large lobe which bears numerous spatulate hairs. Abdomen: gray-black with faint paler markings."

Walckenaeria dysderoides

1.7 to 2.3 mm. Prosoma brown to dark brown. Opisthosoma light grey. Microscopic examination of the of the genitalia is required to confirm this species. Typically found on heathlands, especially in open, stony areas, but has also been recorded in pin

Walckenaeria exigua

Identification: "Carapace: orange-brown to chestnut brown, often slightly darkened anteriorly. The male has a small horn. Abdomen: gray to black" Palp Males of Walckenaeria minuta are easily mistaken for males of this species; Millidge even said Emer

Walckenaeria nudipalpis

This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK species than any other. Most are small and need microscopic examination to identify. No additional images available for this species.

Walckenaeria occidentalis

Identification: "Carapace: orange brown, with dusky markings . The lobe in males is constricted in front of the eyes. Abdomen: black" Palp Epigynum

Walckenaeria pallida

Identification: "Carapace: orange-red, suffused anteriorly with chestnut brown or black to give a striking contrast . In the male the carapace is elevated anteriorly, the form of the elevation being somewhat variable; the elevation has a dense coveri

Walckenaeria palustris

Identification: "Carapace: brown, with dusky markings and margins . The male lobe is constricted behind the fork. Abdomen: gray-black. Legs: brown to orange-brown. Epigynum

Spiraling Sheet-web Weaver

Walckenaeria spiralis

Identification: "Carapace: orange-brown to brown, often darkened anteriorly; male carapace not raised behind the eyes. Abdomen: black. Legs: orange to orange-brown." Epigynum

Walckenaeria subdirecta

Identification: This species can be separated by other similar species by the closely spaced striae on the cheliceral file. In the past W. directa has not been differentiated from its sibling species W. subdirecta .

Walckenaeria tibialis

Identification: "Carapace: deep chestnut brown. The male has a stout horn anteriorly; the length of the horn is somewhat variable. There is a clump of stout spatulate hairs between the base of the horn and the posterior eyes . Lines of minute pits ra

Walckenaeria unicornis

Males 1.8 to 2.2 mm, females 2.0 to 3.1 mm, dark (almost black) body, red-orange legs with pale annulations. Microscopic examination of genitalia is required to confirm identity. Widespread throughout England and Wales. http://srs.britishspiders.org.

Zornella armata

Identification: Palp (ventral, retrolateral, mesal, dorsal) Epigynum "Specimens reported as Zornella cultrigera (L. Koch 1879c:11) in North America are misidentifications of Zornella armata ." P. Paquin et al (2010) Checklist of the spiders (Araneae)

Anthrobia acuminata

Baryphyma trifrons

Bathyphantes weyeri

Centromerus persolutus

Ceraticelus artemisiae

Ceraticelus crassiceps

Ceraticelus laticeps

Ceraticelus minutus

Ceraticelus similis

Ceratinella brunnea

Ceratinopsidis formosa

Ceratinopsis interpres

Ceratinopsis labradorensis

Ceratinopsis nigriceps

Species in Linyphiidae (287)

Linyphia hortensis

Linyphia triangularis

Macrargus rufus

Maso gallicus

Maso sundevalli

Mermessus fradeorum

Mermessus maculatus

Mermessus tridentatus

Metopobactrus prominulus

Micrargus herbigradus

Micrargus subaequalis

Common Threaded Sheetweaver

Microlinyphia pusilla

Microneta viaria

Monocephalus fuscipes

Neriene clathrata

Neriene digna

Neriene montana

Neriene peltata

Neriene variabilis

Oedothorax agrestis

Oedothorax apicatus

Oedothorax fuscus

Oedothorax gibbosus

Oedothorax retusus

Tricorn Dwarf Weaver

Oreophantes recurvatus

Origanates rostratus

Ostearius melanopygius

Palliduphantes ericaeus

Palliduphantes pallidus

Pelecopsis parallela

Pityohyphantes subarcticus

Pocadicnemis juncea

Pocadicnemis pumila

Pocobletus coroniger

Poeciloneta lyrica

Porrhomma convexum

Porrhomma microphthalmum

Porrhomma pygmaeum

Prinerigone vagans

Saaristoa abnormis

Saaristoa sammamish

Savignia frontata

Scotinotylus formicarius

Scotinotylus vernalis

Sisicottus quoylei

Souessa spinifera

Spirembolus novellus

Horse-head spider

Tachygyna vancouverana

Tallusia experta

Tapinocyba praecox

Tennesseellum formica

Tenuiphantes flavipes

Tenuiphantes sabulosus

Tenuiphantes tenuis

Tenuiphantes zimmermanni

Tiso vagans

Trematocephalus cristatus

Vermontia thoracica

Walckenaeria acuminata

Walckenaeria antica

Walckenaeria atrotibialis

Walckenaeria auranticeps

Walckenaeria carolina

Walckenaeria castanea

Walckenaeria columbia

Walckenaeria communis

Walckenaeria cornuella

Walckenaeria cucullata

Walckenaeria cuspidata

Walckenaeria digitata

Walckenaeria directa

Walckenaeria dondalei

Walckenaeria dysderoides

Walckenaeria exigua

Walckenaeria nudipalpis

Walckenaeria occidentalis