The Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi in the Wanstead area

The Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi is perhaps the most notable species of spider to be seen in the Wanstead area - except perhaps for that apparently mouse-sized creature that scuttles across our carpets as we watch the television, or peers at us as we are about to climb into the bath. That one, though, is the house spider Tegenaria domestica - and they have been around for a long time.

I first came across Argiope bruennichi  in August 2000, in the Sewage Works site (Aldersbrook Exchange Lands). It was busy wrapping its meal - a tasty looking blue damselfly. Walking carefully through the sturdier stems of grass in the Exchange Lands, in Wanstead Park or on Wanstead Flats, the striking blacks and yellow of this spider makes this species a relatively easy one to spot.

Argiope bruennichi in the Sewage Works, August 2000

That first observation wasn't because I'd overlooked them, but because they were only relative newcomers to this part of Britain. They had first been recorded in Britain in 1922, but for many years were more or less confined to the warmer south coastal counties. They require a minimum of three months of warm weather to breed, and a mild winter. By 2000, these conditions were becoming more frequent even away from the coast, and reports of the spider were coming from further north.It was first recorded in Essex in 1997 in two locations, one in the north of the county and the other in the south. (1). Three years later I saw it here, but whether there are any earlier records for our area I do not know.

A Wasp Spider showing its orb web and stabilimentumArgiope bruennichi is commonly called the Wasp Spider - not because of its stinging habits - but because of its impressive black and yellow colouring. In fact, as far as human beings are concerned (and phobias aside) it is quite harmless.The colouring is thought to act as a warning to predators that it could do them serious harm; my thoughts are think of wasp and avoid. I mentioned the web earlier, and this is cleverly constructed with another device which may fool a prospective predator: adjacent to the centre of the vertical orb-shaped web where the spider tends to lurk is a very noticeable zig-zag structure called a stabilimentum. The purpose of this structures is not absolutely clear, and indeed may have more than one purpose, which may differ in importance from species to species. It may have the effect of making the spider look larger than it really is, or may act as a camouflage. Whatever, the stabilimentum constructed by the Wasp Spider is often a very visible mechanical and aesthetic feature to the human eye.

That first sighting for me of this lovely animal was the first of many, and I have found myself looking forward to seeing them. As far as numbers are concerned, I haven't done any surveys on this. However, even though they tend to be found in rough grassland which is not intensively or regularly mown, the most densely populated area that I have come across is in the rushes and associated vegetation at the edge of Alexandra Lake on Wanstead Flats. It has been easy to stand in one spot and to scan around and be able to see many Wasp Spiders or their distinctive orb-webs. I'm not particularly happy with spiders (one of those childhood phobias) but in the very act of trying to photograph Argiope or any other species, I have found myself eye to eyes with some wonderful creatures. I am quite looking forward to late June through to late September when they may be found.

Paul Ferris, 11 February, 2011

(1) Essex Field Club - Species Account for Argiope bruennichi