Wasp spider seen in north of England latest ‘climate refugee’ amid global heating
A female wasp spider, native to mainland Europe, has been spotted in Cheshire, north of England, for the first time. Conservationists from Chester Zoo believe this species is a 'climate refugee,' extending its range northward due to global heating.
Why it matters
This sighting provides direct evidence of how climate change is impacting biodiversity and species distribution, potentially threatening native ecosystems and highlighting the broader ecological consequences of global heating.
Female wasp spiders can grow to about 2cm in body length, making it one of the largest spiders found in the UK. Photograph: Chester Zoo Female wasp spiders can grow to about 2cm in body length, making it one of the largest spiders found in the UK. Photograph: Chester Zoo Spiders Wasp spider seen in north of England latest ‘climate refugee’ amid global heating The Argiope bruennichi , spotted in Cheshire for first time, part of worrying trend that could threaten native species
Prefer the Guardian on Google She is an unlikely harbinger of the climate emergency: a venomous black and yellow spider who spins mysterious patterns in her webs and eats her mates for breakfast.
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