whats this spider?

[hellsbells]

Hi all,

Could anyone name this spider I found today. Never seen anything like it before or have I just led a sheltered life?




Sorry picture is sideways and spider was sitting head down on web.

Thanks

[jezlee]

Hi Hellsbells and welcome to WAB!!

Your spider is a relatively uncommon one in the UK, only being present in the south of the country as far as I know. I live in the Midlands and have never seen one in my life! It is known commonly as a Wasp Spider (obviously from its yellow and black markings) and officially known as Argiope bruennichi.

[bobdouthwaite]

Originally Posted by hellsbells

Hi all,

Could anyone name this spider I found today. Never seen anything like it before or have I just led a sheltered life?




Sorry picture is sideways and spider was sitting head down on web.

Thanks

Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi - first recorded in the UK in 1922 and now popping up in coastal Kent and westwards along the South coast. Saw a couple at Durdle Door last week-end. There's a bit about them in the current issue of 'Natural World'.

[hellsbells]

Thanks for the quick reply Jez.

Funny enough my daughter called it a wasp spider just by its looks.

Does it sting like one though?

Im in essex and she says she has seen a few around. I took the picture over my allotment today, as you can see weeds not veg doing very well at mo!!

Thanks again

[jezlee]

Originally Posted by hellsbells

Thanks for the quick reply Jez.

Funny enough my daughter called it a wasp spider just by its looks.

Does it sting like one though?

Im in essex and she says she has seen a few around. I took the picture over my allotment today, as you can see weeds not veg doing very well at mo!!

Thanks again

They don't sting, but they could probably just about bite you, given a chance!

Seriously, most spiders in this country are poisonous in some sense, but a) they can't exert enough force to break your skin, and b) their venom would be delivered in such small doses it wouldn't really have any effect on you .... and anyway, they're usually too busy running away from you!

[colinaj]

The Wasp Spider is a new alien from France etc. I found Suffolk's 2nd record last year. Although recorded in Southern UK the spider is moving northwards. There are still no Norfolk records though.

[aeshna5]

Not especially new as they have been on south coast for c. 80 years. They have been present in London area for c.5 years + are now quite widespread in suitable areas. Despite being a very showy spider it's easy to overloook as the orb webs are low down where they can catch orthopterans. They are wonderful looking animals which I always enjoy showing people.

[Feathers]

.. and not an 'alien' either. They've just expanded their range like so many other spiders and harvestmen. I remember seeing them in Brittany a few years ago and I heard recently they're more and more frequent on the outskirts of London. I'd say it was a fantastic addition to the UK species list...

[bendog]

This is the wasp spider I saw at teh new RSPB Reserve in Purfleet, Essex on one of their open days.

[Gwenhwyfar]

I found a wasp spider recently as well, I wasn't sure if I should take a pic or run.
I'd never seen one before either.

The following info was taken from the bbc web.

Reproduction
The male is much smaller than the female. He waits at the edge of the female's web until she has shed her skin to become mature. He then takes advantage of the fact that the female's jaws are soft to mate with her in safety. Many males, however, are eaten while mating.