Cross Orbweaver

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The European Cross Orbweaver Spider is a welcome, hard-working addition to the garden, bringing charm and free pest-control to blooms and harvests.

The white cross-like marking on the dark brown abdomen of the Cross Spider led to its common name and became a main identifier. Originally from Europe, the Cross Orbweaver Spider was transported to North America and has settled in nicely thanks to similar climates and habitats. Unlike other non-native species, this exotic addition is not a considered a pest or a threat to indigenous spider populations. It is not harmful to humans either. Instead, it is a steadfast sentry in the garden, helping keep serious pests from destroying plants.

The Cross Orbweaver Spider female is almost twice the size of the male. There is evidence that some females eat the male after mating. Females lay eggs in a sac that is usually hung from the web. Their life span is only 12 months long. Both genders are dark brown overall. Legs have short hairs and brown and tan bands on them. Long, white hairs cover the cephalothorax. The abdomen's cross consists of white dots and dashes and lays inside a scalloped V-shaped center.

Like most members of the Orbweaver family, the Cross Orbweaver Spider sits in the center of its web with its head down though it may be spotted at times on the edge of its web or on a stem with its legs tucked under itself. If it feels threatened or in danger, it may first use its legs to violently shake and shimmy its web to startle the threat in hopes of causing it to leave. If that does not happen, the spider will drop to the ground and return to its web's center when it feels safe again. This spider creates a new web every day. Cross Orbweaver Spiders are found in a variety of habitats including woodlands, savannas, meadows, gardens, grasslands, semi-arid deserts, and evergreen forests.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Arachnida

Order: Araneae

Family: Araneidae

Genus: Araneus

Species: diadematus

Identifying Information

Scientific Name: Araneus diadematus

Other Name(s): European Garden Spider, Cross Orbweaver, Diadem Spider

Category: Spider

Size (Adult; Length): 6mm to 20mm (0.23in to 0.78in)

Colors: brown, black, white

Descriptors: cross, hairy, spiky, venomous, helpful

Territorial Map

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

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Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic

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Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Mexico

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Spider Anatomy

Legs: Spiders have four pairs of legs and these are attached to the cephalothorax.

Pedipalps: Small appendages near the mouth used as taste and smell organs.

Cephalothorax: Contains eyes, head, mouthparts, and legs.

Abdomen: Contains various organs related to digestion, reproduction, and web-making.

Spinnerets: Used in the production of spider silk for fashioning webs or catching prey.

NOTE: Unlike insects, spiders have both an endoskeleton (internal) and exoskeleton (external).

Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus)

The European Cross Orbweaver Spider is a welcome, hard-working addition to the garden, bringing charm and free pest-control to blooms and harvests.