For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Wasp Spiders
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Scientific name: Argiope bruennichi
Size: Female 18mm (head + body), the male is less than 5mm
Distribution: Found mainly in the southern counties of England but slowly spreading northwards.
Months seen: April to October
Habitat: Low growing grassland
Food: Flies, grasshoppers and crickets
Special features: This is one of our more exotic looking spiders. It's a native spider of Mediterranean areas, and has only recently colonised England. Despite the warning colouration this is not a dangerous species. The wasp-like appearance is probably defensive, to deter predators.
The Wasp Spider builds its web close to the ground in order to catch grasshoppers and crickets. The female can often be seen hanging upside-down in the middle of her web throughout summer and autumn. The web features a distinctive zig-zag patterned section running vertically through it.
The large abdomen features yellow, black and white stripes, and the cephalothorax is covered with silver coloured hair. When viewed from underneath you can see two yellow stripes running lengthways along the abdomen.
The female Wasp Spider creates one of the largest egg sacs of any of the spiders found in Britain. It is flask shaped, brown in colour and about 25mm across. She fills it with eggs and then seals the top with more silk.
The male is much smaller, and is only active for a couple of weeks in July. Like many other male spiders, he has to be careful when mating, to ensure he doesn't end up as dinner for the female.
Sightings
2009 - North London - John Barrett
2009 - Poole, Dorset - Brian Hemsworth
2009 - Studland Heath, Dorset - Judith Barnard
2009 - Althorne, Essex - David Hatton
2009 - Brentwood, Essex - Bob Cassels
2009 - Verwood, Dorset - Pete Tindall
2010 - Dartford, Kent - Chris Hayes
2010 - Rainham, Essex - Rita Goodwin
2010 - Lullingstone Park Golf Course, Orpington, Kent - Jeff James
2010 - Sidmouth, Devon - George Fallows
2010 - Epping Forest, E. London - Jules Plunkett
2010 - Chelmsford, Essex - Mike Tucker
2010 - Lancing, West Sussex - Katie Hatherillo
2010 - Greenhithe, Kent - Mark Colman
2010 - Colchester, Essex - Glyn Holloway
2010 - Godinton House, Asford, Kent - Sheila Budgen
2010 - Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex - Lindsey Pearce
2010 - Ipswich, Suffolk - Katharine Brock
2010 - Jaywick, Essex - Margaret O'Dell
2010 - Upchurch, Kent - Jan Watson
2010 - Temple Hill, Dartford, Kent - Paul Loft
2010 - Dunmow, Essex - Terry Jack
2010 - Isleworth, Middlesex - Julie Wilson
2010 - Brightlingsea, Essex - Jack Dowman
2010 - Portslade, East Sussex - Andrew Edwards
2010 - Titchfield, Hampshire - Simon Curtis
2010 - Seasalter, Kent - Malcolm Hardie
2011 - Wootton Creek, Isle of Wight - John Woracker
2011 - Ramsgate, Kent - Christina Benson & Granddaughters
2011 - Felixstowe - Georgina Goodwin
2011 - Henham, nr Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire - David & Rosie Pick
2011 - Bishopstoke, Eastleigh, Hampshire - Amy Bristow
2011 - Badbury Rings, Dorset - Abigail Griffin
2011 - Canterbury, Kent - Nick Smith & Sophie Munson
2011 - Eastbourne, East Sussex - Tim Cook
2012 - Leiston, Suffolk - Nick Fone
2012 - Upshire, Essex - Paul Chandler
2012 - Duxford, Cambridgeshire - Greg Hounsom
2012 - Guildford, Surrey - Ruth Hobbs
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