wasp spider question

[leifus]

is the wasp spider rare in england?

[GuyF]

I don't think they're particularly rare down in the south anymore, I've seen small numbers this year at a few different sites. I believe they're also expanding their range northwards, I think they've got to be my favourite spiders, the females are so colourful.
Guy

[eucera]

I guess it depends where you are! It has certainly spread over the last 10 years and can appear pretty abundant in suitable habitat within its range. It wouldn't get near having a threatened status in a Red List

For ifo it might be useful to check the situation on the NBN Gateway

[leifus]

thanks, its just i found my first one this morning in the field next to my house so im well pleased!! Dont the males have the 'wasp stripes'?

[No.9 Spider]

Hi, as far as I am aware there were about 41 species of Pompilidae or Spider Wasps on the British List a few years ago. This may have increased (or decreased ).
They can be quite elusive though I usually find them hunting for spiders alongside me when I am out on a foray. I have occasionally caught them for I.D.'g purposes, but as yet they remain in alcohol.
So they are out there, and best found by getting down in the undergrowth and detritus, pretend you are looking for spiders!



No.9 Spider

[leifus]

wasp spider not spider wasp

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by leifus

Dont the males have the 'wasp stripes'?

As far as I know no they don't. Hopefully any spider experts can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is a male Wasp Spider:

They're not as colourful as the females and they can be much smaller, this one had a body length of about 5mm.
Guy

[No.9 Spider]

I must be word dyslexic , but common names in spiders mean don't register with me. I assume then that you mean Argiope bruennichi.
The 2002 Provisional Atlas of British Spiders gives Argiope bruennichi Nationally Scarce (Notable A) status. It does note however that this designation does not take into account substantial increases in sightings, and the fact that some sites may have numbers into the thousands. It is still predominently South coast regions.



No.9 Spider

[Wild-Woman]

Not where I was on Monday. More plentiful than garden spiders! Mind you there were a heck of a lot of grasshoppers to keep them stuffed!

[Pudding4brains]

Here's some males and females together, for comparison