© Andy ShottsSpecies Focus - Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus)
September is probably the best time of year to record Garden Orb-web Spiders. They’ve hatched in the spring and are now large, fully grown adult spiders. They construct beautiful orb-webs in bushes and long grass. These webs are often highlighted with morning dew.
© Wolfgang Wuster
To be sure you’ve correctly identified this species, look for the white cross-shaped mark on the spider’s body (abdomen). The general body colour can vary from beige through to orange.
Even though this is one of our most common British spiders, it is under-recorded and most gardens in the UK will have at least one or two of these in residence.
© Susan Andrews
To encourage recording and for a bit of fun we invite you to upload the best photo of your Garden Spider when submitting your record. In October's On The Record we will show a selection of our favourite images and the Star Photo will win an NHBS gift voucher!
Please submit your records, with photographs, to the Cofnod ORS or the LERC Wales App.
On the Record
On the Record is our monthly online newsletter. It's full of interesting information about local wildlife recording, including that month's events and what to look out for in our Species Focus feature. Subscribe now to get next month's issue .