Wasp spiders

lasermonkey

Now, I'm somewhat arachnophobic and am very much of the "nuke the site from orbit" camp when they come into my home, but for some reason, I have been quite fascinated by wasp spiders.

They're relatively new to the UK, but have been heading northwards as the climate gets warmer. I saw my first one last year, in a nearby meadow but this year, I've seen quite a few at the East Anglian nature reserves I visit. This one was seen at Lakenheath Fen:


They're fairly large (that's not life-size, by the way!), especially this year, as it has been good for grasshoppers, which are their main prey. The big'uns are the females. The males are tiny in comparison. It was just yesterday when I saw my first male, which was around 10mm in total, whereas the fattest females can have a body length of 20mm or so.

Anyone else seen any?

LuttiS

Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

marantz1300

That's a beautiful spider.
nurture them.

RMJ

What kind of mad science created this?!? WASP SPIDER?!? ARRGGGHHHBB

thermionic

I suspect they mimic the appearance of wasps to intimidate predators and are actually quite reasonable arachnids.

The spider wasps though, are something else.

skunkwerx

How the piss are they getting over here?! 

prowla

Tell them to buzz off!

Clarky

RMJ said:

What kind of mad science created this?!? WASP SPIDER?!? ARRGGGHHHBB

the same science that created Sharktopus
this will not end well

axisus

Uggh. Hate spiders.

thomasross20

Eeeiuughhhhh?!??!!!!!!

Legionreturns

Beautiful creatures! I have an unhealthy fascination with spiders of all kinds. That's a stunner

sinbaadi

Not the most elegant of web design though is it?

cj73

skunkwerx said:

How the piss are they getting over here?! 

Flying....... in swarms

thecolourbox

I expected this story to have a sting in its tail

markslade07

RMJ said:

What kind of mad science created this?!? WASP SPIDER?!? ARRGGGHHHBB

Imagine if someone named Peter got bitten by the f***er! A whole new bunch of films!

PC_Dave

Legionreturns said:

Beautiful creatures! I have an unhealthy fascination with spiders of all kinds. That's a stunner

Burn the Witch!

Legionreturns

PC_Dave said:

Legionreturns said:

Beautiful creatures! I have an unhealthy fascination with spiders of all kinds. That's a stunner

Burn the Witch!

I've got this gorgeous creature living in my back garden at the moment. I call him Geoff 

jellyroll

Legionreturns said:

I've got this gorgeous creature living in my back garden at the moment. I call him Geoff 

Wis'd - 'cause I sort of fancy that spider!

Legionreturns

jellyroll said:

Legionreturns said:

I've got this gorgeous creature living in my back garden at the moment. I call him Geoff 

Wis'd - 'cause I sort of fancy that spider!

Geoff is very friendly. He sits on my hand for a chat sometimes. Admittedly it's a bit one sided, but we definitely have an understanding 

axisus

Die Geoff die

Legionreturns

axisus said:

Die Geoff die

He'd 'kin 'ave you mate!