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Wildlife - Insects

Garden Spider

The garden (or cross) spider weaves the classic orb webs you see strung between fences, hedges and tall grasses on autumn mornings. Look for the white cross of dots on its abdomen.

Species description adapted from RSPB and BTO references - see links below.

Status: Common (but sensitive to pesticide use)North Yorkshire species profileGo to Wildlife Identification
Illustration coming soon for this species.

How it fits into North Yorkshire wildlife

This insect is one of the small workers keeping North Yorkshire alive. Insects pollinate flowers, recycle nutrients and feed birds, bats and other wildlife, so even tiny species can have an outsized effect.

How it interacts with the wider landscape

Spiders are voracious predators of flies, midges and aphids - a single garden web can catch hundreds of insects in a week, providing free, chemical-free pest control.

Seasonal rhythm

Warmth, flowering cycles and clean water or shelter all affect how strongly this species can appear from one season to the next.

Where to look and what to notice

Look around flowers, ponds, field margins and sunny sheltered spots where insects can feed, hunt or breed.