Cross orb-weaver (European garden spider)

Gardens, parks, woodland edges, and other places with vegetation or structures for attaching orb webs.

Catches and eats flying insects, including flies, mosquitoes, and moths, in a sticky orb web.

Builds a circular web and often rests head-down at its center or nearby. Females lay eggs in a silk sac; adults are most visible in late summer and autumn.

Harmless to people; bites are rare and generally mild. Benefits gardens by capturing insect pests.