This species is not native where I live, it migrated all the way here from the Mediterranean late in the 20th century. I have never expected to see it in my garden since it still requires a generally warmer climate than what used to be normal here. I guess we can chalk that up to global warming – and this year’s summer was uncharacteristically humid and cold, almost like it used to be when I was a kid.

Pictures below the fold, beware of an intimidating and beautiful spider. This specimen is not particularly big – the abdomen is just about 7-8 mm in length.  Maybe she is not fully grown yet.