Weird Spider

Wendy discovered an unusual spider in the back yard. Quite small at about 7mm long. Having trouble finding this one on Google images.

I snapped these pics this AM and contacted my friend professor Kee Dewdney. I know he will be able to identify it.

In this shot of the underside you can see the silk coming out of the spinneret. I think it's called a "Star Spider". Will update when I hear from Kee.

UPDATE from the Professor:

Dear Tim,

Pat and I call that one the Teapot Spider because of its unusual abdomen. In reality it has the common name of Spined Micrathena (Micrathena gracilis). They can be a nuisance [at Newport Forest] because of their habit of building webs across trails. One then has the option of ducking under without damaging the web or walking through it, only to be accompanied by the giant but fading sound of spider-swearing. 

  

Cheers to all,

Kee

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