r/insectsUK

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Spotted on my back door (Southern England). The closest match I can find is a paper wasp, which I understand are sometimes rare visitors to the UK.

The major differences seem to be the length and colour of the antennae, and possibly the pattern of the markings on the underside of the abdomen.

Apologies for the poor photo quality, I’m actually terrified of wasps so as soon as I spotted it I ran inside - obviously need to do some window cleaning!

It might be getting a bit chilly but there are still some interesting insects about.

Camera - EOS400D
Lens - Sigma 105mm
Extra magnification - Raynox DCR-250
Editing - Lightroom

1. Female Eratigena sp. atrica group (Giant House Spider)

2. Male Araniella cucurbitina (cucumber orb weaver)

3. Megabunus diadema (one of the Harvestmen)

4. Juvenile Enoplognatha ovata form lineata (candy stripe spider)

5. Female Xysticus cristatus (ground crab spider)

6. Male Xysticus cristatus (ground crab spider)

7. Dictyna arundinacea

8. Salticus scenicus (Zebra jumping spider)

9. Platnickina tincta

10. Rugathodes sexpunctatus (this one is nationally scarce and only recorded from a few places around the UK. It is however tiny and i suspect under recorded)

11. Amaurobius similis (Lace web weaver)

12. Pardosa cf amentata with a back full of young (Wolf spider)

it’s body is probably just under 1cm and legspan 3cm? just guessing obviously. its been hanging around my bathroom wall near the ceiling for 24 hours now. moving around to different parts of the room and hasn’t made a web or anything. Pictures arent the best but it has no patterns or anything and looks slightly more reddish irl. im sorry im too scared to get closer in case it falls on me :(

One of the many cellar spiders that live in my house was making very strange movements in this upside down position - looked like it was handling a very small piece of food'woth all its legs (no food present) Does anyone know if this is good or bad news? I thought it maybe shedding as I've found old skins in this exact shape. Thank you for any help (Apologies for poor photo I only have a cheap phone) .

Spotted this weird fly looking wasp today but upon looking it up am I right in saying it has a pathogenic fungus that kills flies and leaves them frozen to the wall?!?

Someone confirm please. Can’t believe it’s my first time ever hearing about this!

Are these little ones settling in for the winter season? I get the impression they are so going to have to relocate these flowers carefully!

A first sighting for me.

Look at this little fella