Consider-the-Lilies Web Gallery
Cross Orbweaver Spider
Entomologists divide spiders as hunters into two broad categories: ambushers and trappers. Some of the ambushers prowl about and sneak up on their prey; others like the Crab Spider, sit very still in a flower blossom and wait for visitors. Among the trappers, there is a further division of the category by the type of trap or web.
Some of the smaller spiders, such as the Filmy Dome and House Spider spin a cottony sheet of fibers to catch their prey.
Others, the Orb-Weaver spiders, such as this type, the Spiny-bellied Orbweaver and the Common Garden, spin a spiral or orb web to capture unwary visitors.
The Cross Orb Weaver spider seems to favor locations on structures rather than out in the garden on vegetation, as do the various Garden Spiders.
We have seen it on several windows and, for this image, it chose to construct its web across a seldom used garage door.
Areaneus diadematus has similar leg bands to its cousins, but it is considerably hairier, and it differs also in not displaying the bright yellow and white torso markings of the Garden Spiders.
The dull brown hair with which it is covered is perhaps consistent with its more reclusive nature.
Unlike the Garden Spiders, which are content for me to move in close to get a picture, this type is easily disturbed and will abandon its web to flee to a place of safety in some dark corner if approached too closely
Another interesting contrast between these spider cousins is the way this type spins its web: as shown to the left, irregular cross strands break up the spherical design of the webs, thus the Cross Orb-Weaver name.
The way the silken lines are laid out, it looks like it started in one direction, then changed its mind, and then again...
Although it might appear that the web has had repairs over time, a freshly constructed trap has the same disjointed look.
The Garden Spider, however, builds its webs with a consistent angle between the radiating main and strengthening cross lines.
Interesting contrast, isn't it? (Color shifted to emphasize the structure of the web.)
Go to the Main Directory to consider more lilies of the field.