[ImmitsRom]

We have seen some of these in our garden.

We also have a number holes in the grass up to 2cm across in one shady area of the grass, could these bees be nesting there, or maybe something else maybe?

Thanks for any ideas.

[Wvq9InTM]

Observation may help but 2 cm holes sound like spiders to me. Mice don't need a very big hole either.

[ImmitsRom]

Observation may help but 2 cm holes sound like spiders to me. Mice don't need a very big hole either.

Oh Oh!

[Wvq9InTM]

I wouldn't be too worried about the spiders.

[LINETFAD]

We also have a number holes in the grass up to 2cm across in one shady area of the grass, could these bees be nesting there, or maybe something else maybe?

They do build burrows, I believe. But could the burrows be from emerging cicadas?

[ImmitsRom]

I wouldn't be too worried about the spiders.

You're probably not an arachnophobiac like me.

[ImmitsRom]

They do build burrows, I believe. But could the burrows be from emerging cicadas?

No I know what Cicada holes look like. These are more smooth around the edges. The grass appears to be knitted together somehow?

[Wvq9InTM]

They do build burrows, I believe. But could the burrows be from emerging cicadas?

There are a few possibilities. I have one or more species of Myrmercia which have inconspicuous holes. They leave me alone as long as I use caution near their nests though their nests usually have only one or two entrances..

[Wvq9InTM]

No I know what Cicada holes look like. These are more smooth around the edges. The grass appears to be knitted together somehow?

Yep, sounds like spiders. They should be of no bother to you as you will probably never see the spider or very rarely.. make sure you use a torch when moving around at night. Where do you live, possum? This may help with ID.

[ImmitsRom]

Yep, sounds like spiders. They should be of no bother to you as you will probably never see the spider or very rarely.. make sure you use a torch when moving around at night. Where do you live, possum? This may help with ID.

Hi
Just moved down to the Illawarra just a bit south of Wollongong.

[Wvq9InTM]

Not trying to scare you and if you are arachnophobic you may be afraid to look at spider information as it may contain images. There are numerous species that may build burrows. Some of them are funnel web spiders. It is a bit like my Bull Ants. One simply needs to take care.
http://www.csiro.au/resources/Funnel...der-Facts.html
http://www.australianmuseum.net.au/F...-Spiders-Group
http://www.funnelwebspider.net.au/sy...eb_spiders.htm

I have numerous spiders. Trapdoors, Mouse spiders, Wolf spiders by the million and I'm more wary of my Bull Ants. Probably because I have felt their sting.

From the Australian Museum pages: Funnel-webs burrow in moist, cool, sheltered habitats - under rocks, in and under rotting logs, crevices, rot and borer holes in rough-barked trees. In gardens, they prefer rockeries and dense shrubberies, and are rarely found in more open situations like lawns. The most characteristic sign of a Funnel-web's burrow is the irregular silk trip-lines that radiate out from the burrow entrance of most species. These trip-lines alert the spider to possible prey, mates or danger.

[Peertantyb]

In a lawn, most likely Wolf Spiders. If you go out at night with a torch, hold it at a similar level to your eye and scan the lawn. The eyes of Wolf Spiders are very bright and easy to spot this way. If you keep the light on them, you can walk up for a closer look.

[Wvq9InTM]

Wolf spiders have often walked across my foot or hand. Not aggressive at all.

[ImmitsRom]

In a lawn, most likely Wolf Spiders. If you go out at night with a torch, hold it at a similar level to your eye and scan the lawn. The eyes of Wolf Spiders are very bright and easy to spot this way. If you keep the light on them, you can walk up for a closer look.

Thanks I'l try that tonight.

[ImmitsRom]

Not trying to scare you and if you are arachnophobic you may be afraid to look at spider information as it may contain images. There are numerous species that may build burrows. Some of them are funnel web spiders. It is a bit like my Bull Ants. One simply needs to take care.
http://www.csiro.au/resources/Funnel...der-Facts.html
http://www.australianmuseum.net.au/F...-Spiders-Group
http://www.funnelwebspider.net.au/sy...eb_spiders.htm

I have numerous spiders. Trapdoors, Mouse spiders, Wolf spiders by the million and I'm more wary of my Bull Ants. Probably because I have felt their sting.

From the Australian Museum pages: Funnel-webs burrow in moist, cool, sheltered habitats - under rocks, in and under rotting logs, crevices, rot and borer holes in rough-barked trees. In gardens, they prefer rockeries and dense shrubberies, and are rarely found in more open situations like lawns. The most characteristic sign of a Funnel-web's burrow is the irregular silk trip-lines that radiate out from the burrow entrance of most species. These trip-lines alert the spider to possible prey, mates or danger.

Hi
Not scared to look, just don't like to be too near them.

[antipenq]

I agree that wolf spiders are the most likely. I find them the least aggressive spiders, they tend to ignore humans. They are very easy spiders to live with, they don't sit on the wall above you the way huntsmen do. Just ignore the big fangs.

[pipojambo]

I have been bitten by a wolf spider and it is just like being bitten, a sharp sting but thats all. I deserved it I put my hand on it by accident and was squashing it.

[Wvq9InTM]

I agree that wolf spiders are the most likely. I find them the least aggressive spiders, they tend to ignore humans. They are very easy spiders to live with, they don't sit on the wall above you the way huntsmen do. Just ignore the big fangs.

I suppose it is time for me to chuck my huntsman story back in the mix. I'm not scared of spiders. I handle them often by allowing them to use my body as a path. I've even allowed a brown snake to travel across my foot and picked them up. I know this talk scares the shite out of you but you can do it.. They are not interested in you.. You are too big to eat.

Back to the huntsman story.
I was asleep, it was a hot night and out here you sleep naked, a sheet may easily be cast aside.
I was awakened by plop.. yes, plop landed on my face and I was instantly awake but I kept my eyes closed. Plop spanned all the unbearded parts of my face. I could feel the eight legs sticking and unsticking all the while feeling like brushed with an octagon of feathers. Then plop jumped off my face and I thought, cool now I can try and think sleep again..

Woke up in the morning and plop had plopped between Mrs rb's breasts and she had rolled over causing plop to take offence and bite.

Back to fangs.. plap hadn't brushed her teeth.


incision followed.

footnote: Plop didn't survive the earthquake.

[Wvq9InTM]

I have been bitten by a wolf spider and it is just like being bitten, a sharp sting but thats all. I deserved it I put my hand on it by accident and was squashing it.

Yep

same but perhaps different to squashing a spider between your breasts.. but.. yeah

silly thing to do.. that's what gloves are for.

[pipojambo]

The last 10 years of my working life with Telstra they were attempting to turn me from a technician into a lineman, I was not keen on this at all, but it did allow me to get out in the bush quite often working, which I loved. A nice part of this was being able to observe spiders frequently, Telstra pits and cabinets and such are just purpose built mansions for eight legged critters. I have really developed quite a soft spot for the various varieties of Huntsmen Wolf spiders and Orb weavers all would be carefully shepherded away from my pants legs even Red Backs were gently persuaded to go the other way.
Careful examination of many of my wedding photos from last year will show a big Orb weaver, It even got a mention in my wedding speech, I was afraid that some Arachnophobe would brush it down and squash it so I pointed it out and explained how it was doing such a good job of keeping my garden insect free. It survived the day.