BTB Tetragnatha obtusa (C. L. Koch, 1837)
Family: Tetragnathidae
Body length: Male: 4.5 to 5mm Female: 4.5 to 7.7mm
Adults: From April to late summer (Southern Spain)
This species of spider is widespread in central Europe, (scarce, further northern countries) also, Into Asia and Africa, seemingly a species of spider preferring milder climates.
Tetragnatha obtusa is a beautifully marked spider, with various patterns on its elongated body. Typically, greenish coloured markings within a silvery florescent sheen. This genus is hard to separate from T. nigrita, which can only be done by microscopic examination. Hence the “BTB”
Habitat: T. obtusa spins its orb webs within various sized vegetation, from Pine trees, bushes and shrubs. Said to prefer conditions, on the damper side. Will typically catch flies and larger insects that get trapped with its simply spun web. The web is usually angled horizontally between the supporting plant stems. If disturbed, the spider will leave the web and closely stretch out its back four legs together, the same technique is done with its four front legs. This then achieves a very effective camouflage, blending nicely within the central vein of a leaf, or a thin branch stem.
Like most spiders when mating, the male will only approach the female cautiously, usually while she is still feeding.