A fully grown female wasp spider, known scientifically as Argiope bruennichi, has been spotted in Cheshire for the first time, according to conservationists at Chester Zoo. The spider is native to mainland Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, and is rarely seen in the north and west of Britain. Known for its bright coloration that mimics a wasp, the species uses this appearance to deter predators. Scientists believe the spider is extending its range northward as global temperatures rise, possibly becoming a "climate refugee" as it moves in response to environmental changes. Females of this species can grow to about 2cm in body length, making them one of the largest spiders found in the UK. Scott Wilson, head of field programs at Chester Zoo, said that a female wasp spider is likely larger than the typical "big, chunky house spiders" people encounter in their homes. Although not dangerous to humans, wasp spiders are known to attack and sometimes cannibalize their mates during or after mating. Males are much smaller, reaching only about a quarter of the size of females, and studies show that up to 80% of them die after their first mating attempt. The bodies of these males provide valuable protein for the females as they produce their eggs. The spider was discovered on the Chester Zoo estate during a routine biodiversity survey known as a "bioblitz," which monitors wildlife on 80 hectares of land being set aside for nature conservation. An expert from the British Arachnological Society later confirmed it was the first recorded sighting of the species in Cheshire. The spider, nicknamed "Wendy" by the zoo, was found in a rewilded field. The estate is home to a wide range of UK wildlife, including great crested newts, badgers, harvest mice, nesting barn owls, and various dragonflies, moths, and butterflies. Wasp spiders are typically found in sunny, open grasslands across Europe. The species was first recorded in the UK in the 1920s, but Wilson said there have only been a few sightings north of the Midlands to date. Spiderlings are known to travel long distances by "ballooning" on silken strands in the wind, and he believes the spider spotted in Cheshire is an example of how the warming climate is influencing wildlife movement. This trend may lead to the spread of invasive species like the Asian hornet, while some native species may face extinction due to their inability to adapt or migrate. Ruby Merriman, Chester Zoo’s estate biodiversity manager, noted that wasp spiders are slowly moving north as their traditional southern habitats in Europe become too hot for them. She said the term "climate refugees" is appropriate for animals forced to migrate due to human-induced climate change. Wilson expressed concern that the UK's fragmented landscape makes species in specific habitats especially vulnerable to climate change. While the UK lacks high-profile animals like polar bears, the climate emergency remains a critical issue for UK wildlife. Although the wasp spider can bite, it is unlikely to hurt a human unless provoked. Its venom is "probably about as harmful as a nettle sting," Wilson said, adding that it poses a much greater threat to small insects caught in its web.