Dachi Mtchedlishvili · Lagodekhi Georgia field photo
Risk to humans
HarmlessNo medical venom risk
No medically significant venom. Do not pick it up anyway — watch it and leave it where it is.
Key facts in one look
- Diet
- Insects in the web
- Status in Georgia
- Confirmed
- Size
- Female 10–22.5 mm
- Habitat
- Garden / edge / meadow
- Family
- Araneidae
- Human risk
- Harmless
The European garden spider (Araneus diadematus), also called the cross spider or cross orb-weaver, is an orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. In Georgian, the word ჯვრიანა also appears in the name of another animal. The species is confirmed in Georgia. A published specimen is known from Mitarbi near Bakuriani, from a mountain meadow at about 1,500 m. The species is also included in the updated spider checklist of Lagodekhi Reserve. The main identification mark is the white cross-shaped pattern on the upper side of the abdomen. Body colour is quite variable: it may be yellowish, brown, reddish, or almost black. Females are much larger than males: female body length is about 10–22.5 mm, male body length 4–11 mm. It uses venom to subdue prey. It is not considered a medically significant species for people, and bites are rare. The species has not been globally assessed by the IUCN and is not included in Georgia's 2014 Red List.
Identification
European garden spider: how to identify it
A medium to large orb-weaving spider. Body colour is variable, but the upper side of the abdomen often has a clear white cross-shaped mark. The legs are ringed, and females are much larger than males.
Female body length is about 10–22.5 mm; male body length is 4–11 mm. Legs are not included in this measurement. The female has a larger, rounder abdomen, while the male is comparatively smaller and slimmer.
Colour is highly variable: it may be pale yellowish, brown, reddish, or almost black. Even so, the white cross-shaped mark on the upper side of the abdomen is usually clear and is one of the main identification features.
The legs are distinctly ringed. The abdomen is slightly angular at the front and is widest around the front third.
It builds a large, round, orb-shaped web. It is often found in gardens, forest edges, and other vegetated places, where it may be seen sitting in the centre of the web.
The wasp spider has bold yellow-and-black cross-bands and often a white zigzag in the web. The lobed argiope is recognized by obvious side lobes on the abdomen. The main mark of the European garden spider is the white cross-shaped pattern on the upper side of the abdomen; it has neither Argiope-like bands nor the side lobes of the lobed argiope.
The European garden spider builds a large, round web in gardens, shrubland, forest edges, meadows, and other vegetated places. The web is often stretched between plants, branches, or fences. The most precise published Georgian record is from Mitarbi near Bakuriani, from a mountain meadow at about 1,500 m. The species is also confirmed in the spider list of Lagodekhi Reserve. Do not assume that the European garden spider is evenly distributed across all Georgian habitats and elevation belts.
The European garden spider map combines Reptiles.ge editorial photo records with public iNaturalist observations. Regions are taken from the records-by-region table, and only regions with enough records are shaded on the map.
Data: Reptiles.ge + iNaturalist · Methodology
- Field observation
- Several records in one spot
- Photo record
- Region with records
The European garden spider catches insects and other small arthropods in its web. It secures prey with silk and uses venom to subdue it. In general, it is a sit-and-wait predator that uses its web to catch flying animals or small animals moving through vegetation.
Adult females often sit in the centre of the web and sense prey through web vibrations. When disturbed, the spider may hide or shake the web. It does not try to attack people. European data show adults as especially conspicuous from summer into autumn. The published Mitarbi specimen was collected on 21 July. Females lay eggs in a silk sac. Young spiders disperse in the following season.
The current scientific name of the species is Araneus diadematus. Its native range is broad and includes Europe, Turkey, the Middle East, the Caucasus, much of Russia, Iran, Central Asia, China, and Japan. It is considered introduced in North America. The European garden spider has no global IUCN Red List assessment, and it is not included in Georgia's 2014 Red List. There is no need to catch a wild spider or move it elsewhere. If the web is not creating a problem, it is better to leave it in place.
Gocha Nemsadze · Dachi Mtchedlishvili · Davit Tabashidze · Giorgi Natsvlishvili · Andreas Manz
Yes. The European garden spider is confirmed in Georgia. A published specimen is known from Mitarbi near Bakuriani at about 1,500 m. The species is also included in the updated spider checklist of Lagodekhi Reserve.
In general, the species is associated with gardens, forest edges, shrubland, and meadows. The most precise published Georgian record is from Mitarbi near Bakuriani, from a mountain meadow at about 1,500 m. The species is also confirmed in the spider list of Lagodekhi Reserve.
Look at the upper side of the abdomen: the species often has a clear white cross-shaped pattern. Body colour may vary from pale yellowish to dark brown, reddish, or almost black, but the cross-shaped mark is usually still visible.
Female body length is about 10–22.5 mm; male body length is 4–11 mm. Legs are not included in this measurement.
Yes, it has venom, like most spiders, but it uses it to subdue prey. It is not considered a medically significant danger to people.
As a rule, no. Bites are rare and mostly happen when the spider is picked up, pressed, or accidentally disturbed. If strong or unusual symptoms occur, call 112.
Adults, especially females, are most conspicuous in the warm season. The published Mitarbi specimen was collected in July.
The European garden spider has no global IUCN Red List assessment, and it is not included in Georgia's 2014 Red List.
References
What this profile is based on
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
Prepared by the Reptiles.ge editorial team from the sources listed here.
