Please can someone help identify this spider I found outside my house!

[Cassandra]

Hello

I really would like some help identifing this spider. I found out outside my house in Southampoton and as I really don't like sipers I was automatically biased into thinking it was not native and very unfriendly, and as I live right next to the international tanker port we have had some wierd things come in off the banna boats.....

Going against my irrational fear I did some research on the internet and found a possible ID, which is:

Wasp Spider
Size (F): 11 - 15mm.
Size (M): 4 - 4.5mm.
Locale: Southern England, but spreading northwards.
Food: Grasshoppers and insects.
Web Type: Orb.
Notes:
This spider was introduced to Britain from Europe in the early 20th century. Despite its alarming colouring, it is not poisonous. The female often eats the male during mating.

If it is only this then I will be able to leave my house again but please could someone more in tune with spiders help me????

[Lance Morgan]

Yes it is a wasp spider. Quite harmless.

[henrya]

Yes, female Wasp Spider (the males are much plainer looking ('twas ever thus!)). I've not heard that it is iintroduced - none of the spider books that I have access to suggest that it is anything other than native.

henrya

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by henrya

Yes, female Wasp Spider (the males are much plainer looking ('twas ever thus!)). I've not heard that it is iintroduced - none of the spider books that I have access to suggest that it is anything other than native.

henrya

and nationally scarce (but on the increase) I think from memory?

[Cassandra]

Thank you for your replies, I feel a lot safer now....yes I am a big wimp when it comes to spiders, I am more of a dog person!!!

[GRH]

This species' current status is Nationally Scarce (Notable A), but given its current distribution and population it will no doubt be downgraded at the next review.

It was first recorded in Rye in 1922. Rye is (was) a harbour town which suggests introduction (it's pretty noticeable, so it's fair to assume that it wasn't around much before that), but the spiderlings are obligate 'balloonists' so it's also possible that it made its way here naturally (which beggars the question why didn't it get here naturally long ago?). As it's now on the British list it's considered 'naturalised'.

Although it is harmless in everyday terms it is certainly capable of biting human fingers, though the pain is slight. (Almost all spiders are poisonous, though the vast majority are incapable of breaking human skin).

Dogs are boring. I am more of a spider person!

Greg

[henrya]

Quote
and nationally scarce (but on the increase) I think from memory?
Endquote

The Provisional Atlas implies that the Nationally Scarce (Notable A) categorisation needs revision in view of the great increase in sightings since 1990.

EDIT: GRH beat me to it!

henrya