Other Common Names
Cross Spider, Cross Orbweaver, European Garden Spider
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Size
Body length adult female: 6-20mm.
Body length adult male: 6-13mm.
Identification
The dorsal, white cross on the abdomen can typically be diagnostic:
There is also an atypical variation that does not have the cross. This might be confused with A. gemma. See atypical diadematus here:
Ventral Pattern
Female epigynum/scape:
Web
Range
This non-native species is slowly spreading outward from the Pacific Northwest (to California and Utah per BG data) and from the northeast westward (Wisconsin and Arkansas per BG data). It is also known from eastern Minnesota at this time (10 Jan 2023-ChH)
Habitat
Common in gardens, though it is more a species of scrubby heathland or amongst gorse.
Life Cycle
Shriveled Female and egg sac:
Mature couple:
Mature male, immature female:
Males reach sexual maturity before females do, and will often pair off with an immature female in order to claim her.
Juveniles:
Spiderlings
Egg Sac
Remarks
Introduced to North America from Western and Northern Europe.
Print References
Dondale, C. D., J. H. Redner, P. Paquin & H. W. Levi. 2003. The insects and arachnids of Canada. Part 23. The orb-weaving spiders of Canada and Alaska (Araneae: Uloboridae, Tetragnathidae, Araneidae, Theridiosomatidae). NRC Research Press, Ottawa, 371 pp.
