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Royal Mail has unveiled images of a set of 10 new stamps featuring original illustrations of spiders found in the UK.
The images are of the Sand Bear Spider, Cucumber Spider, Woodland Jumping Spider, Four-spotted Orbweb Spider, Nurseryweb Spider, Ladybird Spider, Candy-striped Spider, Wasp Spider, Zebra Spider and Heather Crab Spider.
The stamps feature original artwork by wildlife illustrator Richard Lewington, who has previously illustrated three special stamps issues – butterflies in 2013, bees in 2015 and bugs in 2020. Royal Mail says spiders often enjoy a less-than-good reputation and the usual human reaction to them is one of fear and anxiety, probably due to the large, dark and hairy house spider being the species we encounter most often. However, they say the spiders found in the UK are fascinating, complex creatures and deserve a better look.
David Gold, director of external affairs and policy, said: “Many people are scared of spiders, but these colourful creatures deserve a second look. They perform a vital role in nature and have fascinating strategies for survival. As these stamps show, there’s far more to spiders than the hairy cartoon version we love to hate.”
Some spiders are rare – the ladybird spider is found in only one locality, while the heather crab spider is restricted to just a few areas of lowland heath in southern England. Others, such as the zebra spider and the cucumber spider, are commonly found in gardens, while the tentlike web of the nurseryweb spider is a common sight on road verges and unmanaged grassland throughout much of England during the late spring.
The two orbweb spiders, the four-spotted orbweb spider and the wasp spider, are both large and very colourful and are among the most striking of the British spider fauna. The candy-striped spider and the woodland jumping spider are found throughout the UK but have rather secretive lives, hidden away in their leafy surroundings. The sand bear spider is also widespread but its very effective camouflage allows it to blend in superbly with its sandy haunts.
The spiders found in the UK feed almost exclusively on invertebrates and perform a vital role in controlling pests, particularly in the domestic environment, Royal Mail says. The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order from today (September 13) at www.royalmail.com/spiders and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 10 stamps is priced at £11.90. The stamps go on general sale on September 26.
