Cross orb-weaver (garden orb-weaver)

Gardens, woodland edges, shrubs, and buildings across much of the Northern Hemisphere. It commonly builds orb webs in vegetation or around windows and other structures.

A predator of flies, moths, mosquitoes, and other small arthropods. It captures prey in sticky orb webs, then immobilizes and consumes them externally.

Mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, often resting head-down at the web’s hub or in a nearby retreat. Females produce an egg sac in autumn; adults commonly die after reproduction, while young overwinter.

Harmless to people and beneficial as a natural controller of flying insects. Bites are rare and generally cause only brief, localized irritation.