The European garden spider (Araneus diadematus, cross spider) is a very common and well-known orb-weaver spider in Western Europe. Araneus diadematus also lives in parts of North America, in a range extending from New England to the Northwestern United States and adjacent parts of Canada.

Individual spiders' colouring can range from extremely light yellow to very dark gray, but all european garden spiders have mottled markings across the back with five or more large white dots forming a cross.

External links

• Araneaus diadematus at Nick's Spiders of Britain and Europe
• European Garden Spider at Hans and Hania's Garden Safari
• European orb weavers at Spiders of NW-Europe