Best time to see: Jul to end Oct
Key facts
A common garden spider that spins the familiar orb-web and sits in it, head down, waiting for prey
Colourful and strongly patterned, but very variable in colour
Common and widespread in Britain
Recognition
Rounded abdomen narrowing towards the back – up to 8mm in females, less in males, which also have longer legs
Abdomen very variable in colour, from cream to green with darker patterning in a range of colours
Lifecycle
Male hangs around near a web in late summer and autumn, waiting until the female is busy with prey to mate
Egg sacs resemble a bird dropping and are pressed against a plant stem
The young over-winter as spiderlings
© Tony Gunton