Garden Spider

Araneus diadematus

Common & widespread residents in Britain.

Individual spiders' colourings can range from extremely light yellow to very dark grey, but all A. diadematus spiders have mottled white markings across the dorsal abdomen, with four or more segments forming a cross.

The markings are formed in cells filled with guanine, which is a byproduct of protein metabolism.

Adult Females range in length from 6.5 to 20 mm (0.26 to 0.79 in), while Males range from 5.5 to 13 mm (0.22 to 0.51 in).[7]

Occasionally, the Female will eat the male directly after mating.