Garden Spider ( Aranues diadematus)
Length 13 mm
Description A large spider with (13 mm) and cruciform white markings make it easy to identify, although the abdomal base colour varies from yellow through red-brown to almost black. Males are usually thinner than the females. sometimes referred to aa the Garden Cross Spider
Photo ID usually possible
Life Cycle Matures from summer to autumn and is usually biggest in late autumn when it is at its oldest and often full of eggs. After laying their eggs the females die and only the eggs and the spiders that hatched in the spring of the year will overwinter.
Habitat Gardens, woodland and meadows.