Common Candy-striped Spider sensu stricto - Enoplognatha ovata sensu stricto

Approximately 6mm from front of head to back of abdomen. There is a pale creamy-green coloured variety (form lineata), a form with two red stripes along the abdomen (redimita form) and another variation where the two red stripes are replaced by a single thick red strip (form ovata). The black spots on both sides of the abdomen are present in all three forms. Tibia I always with black terminal ring.

This species can only be reliably separated from Enoplognatha latimana by detailed examination with a microscope or good lens. If the identity has not been checked microscopically, please record as E. ovata sensu lato.

Confirmation of this species requires examination of the genitalia of mature specimens. If the identity has not been checked microscopically, record as Enoplognatha ovata sensu lato.

Hedgerows, grassland and gardens.

May to October.

Common throughout Britain.

Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

https://britishspiders.org.uk/candy-striped-spiders