The Lyons Share

OK, so I thought I would show some male palps (of a spider) down the microscope. I saw this spider in the toilets at work today and was surprised at how big the palps were. I thought it was going to be Steatoda nobilis but I am pretty sure (and I'm sure Andy Phillips will tell me if I'm right!) this is Steatoda bipunctata. This is actually a new species for me and although there are a number of species in the genus it was very clear which species this was. Strange to think this is watching me in the toilets all the time. It should watch out though, I have seen the rather pathetic looking Pholcus phalangioides make short work of a Tegeneria several times its size.