Wasp spider seen in north of England latest ‘climate refugee’ amid global heating
Summary
A venomous spider called the wasp spider, usually found in mainland Europe, North Africa, and Asia, has been spotted for the first time in northern England. This spider is moving north due to warmer temperatures caused by climate change, making it an example of a "climate refugee."Key Facts
- The wasp spider is black and yellow and mimics a wasp to avoid predators.
- Females can grow up to 2 cm long, making them one of the largest spiders in the UK.
- Male wasp spiders are much smaller and often die after mating because females sometimes eat them.
- The spider was found in Cheshire by Chester zoo conservationists during a biodiversity survey.
- The wasp spider’s range in the UK is expanding north and west as the climate warms.
- The spider’s arrival may affect local ecosystems, but scientists do not yet know how.
- Spiders can travel long distances by releasing silken threads and drifting in the wind.
- Experts call animals moving because of climate change "climate refugees" and warn that invasive species may also spread north in the UK.
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