Around this time of year the garden fills with these little Orb Weavers Araneus diadematus. These little spiders are first seen in the spring in little clusters of the tiny spiders holding together in a ball for survival. But as late August roles around these spiders start to get to their largest sizes and fill the yard and garden with their many webs.
Orb weavers come in many types but the ones I see in my yard are sometimes called European Garden spiders ( Also found in North America) or Cross spiders. This little Orb Weaver is harmless to people being docile and not interested in biting unless provoked. It is however a veracious predator in the garden consuming a large variety of insects throughout the spring summer and fall. August and September seem to be the months when the most variety of prey is taken as this is when the spiders are at their largest and most able to take down more powerful opponents. I have witnessed these spiders taking down yellow jacket wasps on occasion using their web to quickly subdue the formidable prey.
Spider Mating a Dangerous Affair
At this stage in the season these spiders also seem to be looking for mates. Mating in this species is a dangerous affair for the male. You can sometimes witness the male spider approaching the much larger females while tapping on her web cautiously. If things go wrong, the male is often made into a meal before it has a chance to successfully mate.
These Orb Weavers as the name indicates create beautiful orb shaped webs. They construct and take back down these webs on a regular basis. When the webbing is taken down either by accident or by the spider itself these spiders will often then consume the webbing to recycle it.
It is hard to miss these spiders this time of year in my yard. It is a constant battle not to accidentally walk into their webs. But they are fascinating and important part of the garden and really worth respect and admiration.
