A RARE and remarkable looking spider has been discovered living in Meeth Quarry near Hatherleigh.

The strawberry spider is a species that is classified as ‘nationally scarce’ by arachnid experts.

The discovery is thought to be one of only a handful of sightings in Devon since the species was discovered near Ivybridge in 2008.

The strawberry spider was found at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Meeth Quarry nature reserve. It was the first time the species had been seen at the North Devon wildlife haven.

The strawberry spider, or Araneus alsine to give it its full scientific name, is a member of the orb-weaving family of spiders.

The spider has a very distinctive red-orange body, flecked with yellow dots and looks remarkably like a plump, ripe strawberry — hence the name. It is quite large for a British spider, with the bodies of females reaching up to 15mm in size.

Bug-hunting expert Rob Wolton made the surprising eight-legged discovery while he was making a routine visit to the nature reserve.

He said: “I was out recording insects like hoverflies at the reserve, when I spotted this huge red spider unlike any I had ever seen before.

“I took some photos and when I got home looked it up. It was a real surprise to find such an eye-catching spider. It just goes to show what a special place Meeth Quarry is. Full of the unexpected.”

Meeth Quarry is one of 50 nature reserves cared for by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust. Until the 1990s it was an active clay mine producing clay for export. After being decommissioned its two huge clay pits stood unused for more than a decade before Devon Wildlife Trust took over its ownership in 2013.

The nature reserve is visited by thousands of people each year, many arriving on the Tarka Trail cycle way, which runs through the site. Its 150 hectares are free for people to explore and enjoy.

A newly installed wildlife hide is a popular destination for birdwatchers.

Insect experts have also been able to identified one of southern England’s largest colonies of the rare wood white butterfly on the reserve.

Now the rare strawberry spider can be added to the growing list of Meeth Quarry’s known inhabitants.