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Wildlife - Insects

Garden Spider

Garden spiders spin orb webs that turn hedges, fences and garden corners into precise insect-catching landscapes.

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

Status: Common and widespreadNorth Yorkshire species profileGo to Wildlife Identification
Watercolour illustration of a garden spider in its web

How it fits into North Yorkshire wildlife

Orb-weaving spiders are part of the fine detail of North Yorkshire gardens, hedgerows, field margins and woodland edges.

How it interacts with the wider landscape

They help control flies and other insects while also feeding birds and larger predators in the same habitat.

Seasonal rhythm

They are easiest to notice from late summer into autumn, when dew and low light reveal fresh webs.

Where to look and what to notice

Look for circular webs between stems and branches, especially on cool mornings.