Fauna
Arachnid

Cross Orbweaver

Araneus diadematus

Also known as European Garden Spider, Diadem Spider, Cross Spider, Crowned Orb Weaver

Distinctive white cross markings adorn the bulbous abdomen of this classic web builder. Females spend late summer hanging head down in the center of intricate spiral webs, waiting for flying insects to become trapped in sticky silk. Every evening, the spider consumes its old web to recycle the structural proteins before spinning a fresh grid overnight.

Orb WeaverWeb BuilderBeneficial
Cross Orbweaver reference1 / 7
(c) hedera.baltica, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFlies, Mosquitoes, Moths
Predators
  • Birds
  • Mud dauber wasps
  • Lizards
ThreatsPesticide use, habitat destruction, severe early frosts
HabitatsGardens, woodlands, meadows, parks, suburban yards
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyAraneidae
  3. GenusAraneus
  4. SpeciesAraneus diadematus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Web Spotting: Look between garden shrubs early in the morning when dew highlights the silk threads.
  • Observation Etiquette: Avoid touching the web structure, which takes significant energy for the spider to build.
  • Night Viewing: Use a gentle flashlight after dark to see the spider actively rebuilding its web.
Related species
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