id difficulty for Argiope bruennichi

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Identification difficulty rating=2
Can be identified in the field with care and experience. Needs a good view or examination with a good quality lens. Beginners should take voucher specimens until they gain familiarity and experience. May be identifiable from a good photo.  Records acceptable from competent recorders.

Notes
The adult female should not be difficult to identify but the male is confusable with other small spider species
Whilst the female is easily recognised in the field, the male is a small different looking spider which requires microscopical idenntification.

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Males and females may present different identification difficulty in spiders. These identification ratings are based on the most difficult identification. New species may become recognised or become part of the British fauna e.g. from Europe, so identification should be made with the awareness that this is a possibility and that confirmation may be needed in the form of a voucher specimen.