What an interesting spider this is. I was shown this individual yesterday by the ranger on Dawlish Warren, I knew that this was a species seen often on the warren but I had never been able to find one for myself. This is an insect that was first discovered in the UK in 1922 in Kent and has now spread in to suitable habitat across the south of England. It feeds mainly on grasshoppers and is a large and very striking spider and its not difficult to see how it got it's name. Its not often that I see a species for the first time so it was quite exciting to see it.  I have also seen a species of spider in Florida USA called the Florida Argiope which is another member of this family of spiders.

This spider is guarding her eggs which can be seen just behind it.