Surviving Araneus diadematus??

[Africa]

Early in the morning today I saw a medium sized Araneus diadematus proudly sitting in the middle of her newly made web in a front garden (South facing) in Hull. I've seen overwintering garden spiders before, but not after such a cold winter. Are there more people seeing overwintering garden spiders?. As is often the case I didn't have my camera with me, but I'll try to take a picture later.

[nickster]

I saw a cracking 10cm web in the grass, highlighted by early morning dew yesterday morning (located in Chester). It couldn't have been last season's web as it looked newly made and would not have survived my daughter’s January snowman making endeavors. I couldn't see a spider but then I didn't look too carefully as I was rushing out of the house to go to work!

I've also started to see more spiders wandering round the house over the last few weeks. Roll on spring :-)

[wildherbalian85]

i was watching a fully sized garden spider on tuesday evening weaving a web between a building and a bin/ bike shed.. was supprised to see one this early in the year especially at that size, most odd.

[Africa]

I went back and took a photo of the spider:


Sorry its not the best quality, but I didn't want to get in this front garden to take a macro shot, although it's OK for ID. I was wondering if anybody knows how long do garden spiders live for?