Is this a false widow?

Just found this chap hanging around in the garden. Is it a false widow?




A scary looking thing whatever it is. (It was around an inch long.)


10 minutes later he's enjoying his bank holiday afternoon tea; a wasp:

Possibly a 'Diadem' spider - you need to see its back to be sure....

Yes it could well be that. Thanks.

It looks like a Cross Orb Weaver, have a look on google.

Thanks. Isn't that another name for the 'Diadem' (Araneus diadematus)?

No it isn't. A false widow is about the size of a small pea with a globular rear end usually in a dark purple colour with clearly visible breathing holes. You often find them under the lid of a wheelie-bin _ Arrgh ! The one you have here is an orb weaver. The big ones do bite if you meddle with them.

Here is an absolute monster - compare it to the size of the wasp - its fangs were a good 2mm long. The wasp's undoing was trying to steal a freshly caught greenbottle (just visible) from the web. It hadn't reckoned on the size and speed of the owner !

Thanks. Seems they really enjoy a fresh juicy wasp now and again.