European garden spider

Araneus diadematus · The European garden spider is an orb-weaver spider that is native to Europe and was introduced to North America.

Also called Cross spider, Diadem spider, Cross orbweaver, Crowned orb weaver, Garden spider.

European garden spider
Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0
European garden spider
Photo: Skander zarrad, CC BY-SA 4.0
European garden spider
Photo: Boing! said Zebedee, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassArachnida
OrderAraneae
FamilyAraneidae
GenusAraneus
SpeciesAraneus diadematus

Where it lives

Hedges, woodland edges and yards from Britain to Russia, and in North America.

Fun facts

  • When disturbed, this spider vibrates in its web so fast that it becomes a blur, which may confuse predators.
  • The white cross-shaped markings on its back are made in cells filled with guanine, a byproduct of protein metabolism.
  • Females are bigger than males, growing up to 20 mm long, while males reach up to 13 mm.
  • Its colour can range from extremely light yellow to very dark grey.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).