Guides to Spider Identification

Most British spiders can be identified using the following books, guides and websites. Some species require specialist skills and a microscope, particularly those belonging to the 'money-spider' family, the Linyphiidae. Some of the books are out of print but can usually be found by searching the internet for second-hand copies.

  • Britain’s Spiders (2nd edn) by L. Bee, G. Oxford &  H. Smith, a photographic guide to all Britain’s macro spiders; published by WILDGuide, Princeton University Press, 2020.
  • House and Garden Spiders by L.Bee & R.Lewington, a foldout sheet published by the Field Studies Council, OP69, 2002
  • Harvestmen of the British Isles by P. Richards, a foldout sheet published by the Field Studies Council, OP140 2005.
  • Collins Field Guide: Spiders of Britain and Northern Europe by Michael J. Roberts. 450 species illustrated by colour plates and drawings; published by Harper Collins, 1995
  • The Country Life Guide to spiders of Britain and Northern Europe by Dick Jones. 350 species illustrated by photographs - an excellent accompaniment to the Collins Guide; published by Country Life Books/Hamlyn, 1983 but now out-of-print.
  • The Spiders of Great Britain and Ireland by Michael J.Roberts. Vols I, II, 1985, III 1987. Lavishly produced three-volume work; published by Harley Books
  • The Spiders of Great Britain and Ireland Compact Edition, by Michael J.Roberts, published by Harley Books, 1993
  • British Spiders by G.H.Locket and A.F.Millidge. Vol I 1951, Vol II 1953, published by Ray Society of London.
  • British Spiders by G.H.Locket, A.F.Millidge and P.Merrett. Vol III 1974, published by Ray Society of London.
  • Keys to Families of British Spiders by L.M.Jones-Walters, AIDGAP Guide, Field Studies Council No. 197, published by the Field Studies Council, 1989.
  • Illustrated Key to the British False Scorpions (Pseudoscorpions) by G. Legg & F. Farr-Cox, a foldout sheet published by the Field Studies Council, OP173 2016.
  • Pierre Oger - Spiders of Belgium and France Website with photographic guide to spiders and harvestmen of Belgium and France, including live and preserved specimens and genitalia

If you want to expand your interest in spiders and other arachnids?

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