European Garden Spider
Araneus diadematus
The adult European garden spider lives in gardens, hedgerows, woodland edges, and meadows, building a circular orb web among stems, fences, and shrubs. It waits on or near the web for flying insects to become trapped, then rushes in to bite, envenomate, and wrap the prey in silk. Its pale cross-shaped markings on the abdomen are a famous field mark, though color can range from orange-brown to dark brown. Adults often rebuild or repair their webs and may eat old silk to recycle the protein.
- Type
- Venom / Stealth
- Conservation status
- NE