Remarks on synonyms of European Larinioides species (Arachnida: Araneae: Araneidae)

The five European species of the genus Larinioides are among the most conspicuous spiders of the area, and some of them can be the dominant orb weavers of their habitat. Three of the species were described by Clerck (1757), yet their nomenclatural history since then has been marred by considerable confusion. Only in the last 40 years has the nomenclature in the genus gradually stabilized. Recently, however, it has been suggested to rename two of the species (Larinioides sclopetarius and L. suspicax) yet again. This note intends to show that these recent name changes are not supported by the available evidence, and that the established names L. sclopetarius and L. suspicax continue to be valid.