female wasp spider

Description:

this is a small female, about 5 cm long with legs, body about 8 mm long. the species is distributed throughout central Europe, Northern Europe, north Africa and parts of Asia. the male - I spotted him too, near this female - is much smaller than the female. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/690... It can often be seen in or near a female's web waiting for her to complete her final moult, at which time she reaches sexual maturity. At this time her chelicerae (jaws) will be soft for a short time and the male may mate with the female without the danger of being eaten.

Habitat:

garden

Notes:

@ nana puppet male: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/690...