[rburnett]

Good evening,

I have just returned from a week in the Loire Valley. Whilst there I briefly saw a spider on a wooden landing stage on the side of a lake that I would like to try and identify. I have tried surfing the net this evening without any luck. Sorry I do not have a picture as by the time I got my camera ready it was gone. It was however very striking and is impronted on my mind.

The spider was very similar in shape and form to a Wolf Spider and measured approximately 2 to 3 inches leg tip to leg tip.

It was black all over but had a red ring outlining the two sections of its body. It was not a black widow or a red back. The legs where tapered much like the Wolf Spider. It was magnificant and very striking.

Can anyone help?

Thanks