Garden Spider
Garden spider araneus diadematus also called cross spider a member of the orb weaver family araneidae order araneida characterized by white marks arranged in the form of a cross on the abdomen a fairly common species the garden spider occurs throughout the northern hemisphere and is often found in grassy areas and gardens where it builds an orb shaped web on low shrubs.
Garden spider. The garden spider is actually most noted for spinning webs. The spider species araneus diadematus is commonly called the european garden spider diadem spider orangie cross spider and crowned orb weaver it is sometimes called the pumpkin spider although this name is also used for a different species araneus marmoreus. It is common to the contiguous united states hawaii southern canada mexico and central america. Garden spiders come in all shapes and sizes and when questions about garden spider identification arise most people at least subconsciously think of the family araneidae the orb weaving spiders.
People also refer to this species as the corn spider yellow garden spider hay spider zigzag spider and more. They are greyish brown with a white cross on their back and spin their famous spiral webs. Garden spiders live on average for one year although some females can live for several years if they live in areas that don t have hard frosts a frequent killer of garden spiders. The black and yellow garden spider is sometimes called the writing spider due to the elaborate web decorations it weaves with silk.
Female garden spiders are anywhere from 3 4 inch 1 9 cm to 1 125 inches 2 86 cm long while males can be anywhere from 1 4 inch 0 64 cm to 3 8 inch 0 95 cm long. It belongs to the orbweaver family of spiders and builds huge webs that span several feet in width. The black and yellow garden spider aurantia argiope is a common resident of gardens and parks in north america. The european garden spider is recognized by its large tan and gray body with mottled tan or brown markings across the back which.
Figure out whether it is a female or male spider by its size. Read on to learn about the garden spider. They sit in the middle of the web waiting to feel the vibrations of a struggling insect in the sticky threads of its web. Spiders in this genus often have colorful or boldly patterned bodies.
Garden spiders typically spend their entire lives in one area so your yard may be the site of an entire garden spider life cycle. Garden spiders are the most common orb web spider in the uk often found in gardens giving them their name. There are many different types of garden spiders as listed above however two common species are the european garden spider and the argiope garden spider. The species was first described by hippolyte lucas in 1833.
A garden spider is a species of spider in the taxonomic genus argiope. Unlike humans the female garden spider is much larger than the male garden spider sometimes up to 4 times its size.