Spiders of the UK. Page 2

Gravid adult female Garden Spider   -   Araneus diadematus

Garden Spider / Cross Spider  (Araneus diadematus)

The Garden Spider is one of the largest bodied spiders in the UK, especially in Autumn when the females are gravid. Garden Spiders are common across Europe as well as in parts of North America. Most specimens have a white cross on their abdomen. The adults can come in a huge range of colours from yellow - brown - red - dark grey but the spiderlings are always bright yellow with a black triangle on the abdomen. Adult females can grow to a large body length of 20mm whilst males are slimmer and only reach 13mm. Their highly geometrical orb-webs are often around 200 - 400mm in diameter and the adult spider can be found either in the centre of the web or hidden close by on the other end of a trigger line from the web. Webs are built and repaired after dusk.

British Arachnological Society Factsheet

Large 15mm Female Walnut Orb-Weaver Spider  -  Nuctenea umbratica

Walnut Orb-Weaver Spider  -  (Nuctenea umbratica)

Also known as Toad Spider or Evening Spider, they are found across England, becoming more scarce further north. Females have a body length growing to 15mm and males just 11mm. The flat dark brown abdomen and zig-zag edges are identifying features of this nocturnal spider. Females are common from the spring onwards but they can be seen all year round and even endure temperatures as low as -19 degrees Celcius! Males are usually only found in the summer. During the day these spiders hide in out-buildings, fences, rock crevices or loose tree bark, only coming out in the day to secure prey caught in their web. During the evening they often sit in the middle of their web. Walnut Orb-Weavers have been known to bite humans when disturbed, resulting in itchiness and a burning sensation on the skin, followed by a red patch with white lumps. 

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4mm Juvenile Walnut Orb-Weaver Spider  -  Nuctenea umbratica

Both male and female Walnut Orb-Weavers have a dark brown leaf-shaped mark on the upperside of their abdomen. On the underside they both have two cream coloured teardrop shaped markings.

Adult female Marbled Orb-Weaver   (Araneus marmoreus var. pyramidatus)

Marbled Orb-Weaver   (Araneus marmoreus)

The Marbled Orb-Weaver is another of our larger native orb-weaving spiders. These spiders are commonly associated with damp heathland and woodland edges, and are often found on waterside vegetation. Females have a maximum body-length of 14mm with a 35mm leg-span. Males have a maximum body-length of 9mm with a 18mm leg-span. Adults specimens can be seen in late summer and autumn. There are two variations of this species. One has a completely marbled abdomen which can vary in colour, but is regularly seen in orange. The other (Araneus marmoreus var. pyramidatus) has a pale yellow abdomen with a dark black or brown patch at the back. The Marbled Orb-Weaver is more common in the south of England whilst the Araneus marmoreus var. pyramidatus variation is usually found around Norfolk to Yorkshire on the East of England.

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Marbled Orb-Weaver  (Araneus marmoreus var. pyramidatus)

Like most orb-weaver spiders the Marbled Orb-Weaver builds a retreat near one corner of its web where it will hide away for most of the day, coming out at night to repair and maintain its web.

Marbled Orb-Weaver walking over my hand

A spider of this size would have no problem piercing human skin with its fangs. But like all spiders it has no interest in biting humans, it just wants to get away.

Large adult female Four Spotted Orb-Weaver Spider  -  Araneus quadratus

Four Spotted Orb-Weaver Spider  -  (Araneus quadratus)

The Four Spotted Orb-Weaver is recorded as being Britain's heaviest spider with some specimens weighing over 2.5 gramms. Females have a body length of around 17mm and a leg-span in excess of 35mm. Males are around half that size. Adults can be found during late summer and autumn. These spiders build large orb webs between substantial vegetation and are usually found in undisturbed grassland, not gardens. The distinguishing four spots on the abdomen can be feint in males and difficult to see in heavily gravid females with stretched bodies. The colour of this species can vary enormously from red, brown, cream or green.

Adult female Furrow Orb-Weaver Spider   -   Larinioides cornutus

Furrow Orb -Weaver Spider    -   Larinioides cornutus

Usually found in damp places such as reeds and other waterside vegetation, as well as on bridges and posts. Females have a maximum body-length of 14mm with a 35mm leg-span. Males have a maximum body-length of 9mm with a 18mm leg-span. During mating peiods in Autumn and Spring, the males and females can be found living together. The large orb webs are usually empty during the daytime whilst the spider hides in a silken retreat nearby. Damaged webs are repaired at night. 

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 Argiope species of spider including the Wasp Spider display zig-zag patterns in the middle of their webs. These markings are known as stabilimente and may help to attract some insect prey to the web.