By james art Rare spiders have been spotted in County Durham – as we dig up images of sightings from the archives.
Over the years there have been a few select sightings of some of the rarer spider breeds.
Although there are common cellar spiders and widow spiders, some people have seen zebra spiders and wasp spiders.
We’ve looked at some of the spiders that have been spotted by our team at The Northern Echo Camera Club.
Spider season: All spiders seen in County Durham:
Orb Weaving Spider (Image: DARRAN WESTON)
Garden spider (Image: BILLY ATKINSON)
Spider with candy (Image: JANE PARKER)
Zebra spider (Image: CHRISSY TURNER)
Spider cellar (Image: JANE PARKER)
Neotiurra bimaculata (Image: JANE PARKER)
What is seen in County Durham?
Homeowners in the region have noticed an increase in the number of spiders, as well as their size, in recent weeks.
It comes after news that tarantulas have been confirmed to be in the UK in the form of pouch spiders.
What did the wildlife trust say and did they issue a warning?
Durham Wildlife Trust (DWT) has provided information on why spiders are finding their way into homes.
A spokesman for the Wildlife Trust said: “Every autumn the headlines warn of spiders invading our homes. But what’s the real story with our eight-legged neighbors?
“For some people, the slightest glimpse of a spider is enough to inspire screams of fear. Some newspapers take full advantage of this notoriety, and every fall there is a flurry of stories about spiders “invading” our homes, usually focusing on the largest species or those (often incorrectly) considered dangerous.
“The truth is, spiders live by our side all year round, and that’s something we should celebrate, not fear. These amazing animals are a vital part of our ecosystems, feeding on an astonishing number of insects.
“Worldwide, spiders are estimated to eat between 400 and 800 million tonnes of insects and other invertebrates annually. Many of the insects they eat are considered pests of food crops, garden plants and even humans, so having spiders around is a great natural alternative to pesticides.
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“Some spiders have found their perfect home in our houses, hiding behind furniture and preying on other invertebrates that find their way inside, from houseflies to wasps and mosquitoes. They tend to keep to themselves, preferring dark corners where they can live in peace. But in late summer and early fall, some spiders become more active as males reach maturity and seek out a female for courtship.”
What else did the Wildlife Trust say?
The trust has put fears of spider bites to rest. Durham Wildlife Trust’s website says: “Fear of spiders often comes from fears of being bitten, fueled by urban legends and sensational headlines.
“In reality, very few spiders in the UK are even capable of biting a person, and the small number rarely do. So the next time you spot a spider hiding in the corner of the room, give it a wave and say, well done!”
What are the different types of spiders?
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Cucumber spider
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Spider cellar
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Spider flower crab
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False widow spider
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Water spider
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A common reaper
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Garden spider
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Spider wasp
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Giant house spider
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Spider in the nursery
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Sal spider
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Wolf spider
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Zebra spider