Garden spider? At this time of year?

[Jon1982]

Hi all

In the garden yesterday (boxing day) I was surprised to notice a garden spider, Araneus diadematus as I believe they are known, sat on a wall. I have seen these as late as mid November before but never this late in the season, and particularly after such a cold snap.

On examination it appeared to be a female, although its body appeared small and somewhat shriveled in appearance. I handled it and it seemed very lethargic but most definitely still alive.

Any thoughts? I thought these spiders died off in the autumn. Or was my spider the arachnid equivalent of Bruce Forsyth?

[Kayleigh]

I am probably totally wrong but I think some may survive if they dont freeze..
OR
I could be talking twad and they all die off..

Welcome to WAB..

[Jason Green]

Hi Jon, and welcome to WAB!

As Kayleigh says, some survive! Do you have a photograph at all? Yes, I agree it must be female at this time of year, and the shrunken abdomen will be a sign that she hasn't eaten for a while and is also dehydrated. I don't know if it would survive prolonged snow like that again, but let's hope.

Take care,

Jason

[Geoff F]

With a bit of shelter, a few can survive a little cold weather. I have a very active specimen in my greenhouse.

And at this time of the year last year I witnessed, and photographed, a pair of male Meta segmenta having a dispute over the ownership of a prime piece of web space outside my kitchen window.

[Geoff F]

Just a slight correction. Today I photographed my greenhouse spider and now believe it is more likely to be a female Meta segmenta.



Happily munching her way through a good selection of insects.

30/12/09 in unheated greenhouse; but we haven't had any snow or really extreme cold here, so far.

[MaternalLove]

Could anyone tell me when these cuties hatch? We have a cluster of their nests in the corner of a window frame (on the outside). The window badly needs cleaning, but I don't want to kill the babies! Thanks

[aeshna5]

Found an Araneus diadematus at Richmond Park yesterday when this young woman was worried about a spider by the eaterie outside Pembroke Lodge as it moved downwards on its silk. I moved it out of the way into the Yew hedge.

[Geoff F]

Yes I am also unable to wash my windows or paint the house outside until all the spider eggs hatch in the Spring. And with any luck that will continue until well into the summer when I still won't be able to do anything for fear of disturbing the spiderlings first webs!

There are a number of spider strategies for overwintering as eggs, juveniles or a few adults.

And while I wouldn't want those who are excessively house proud to read this - with care you should be able to wash around the spider eggs without damaging them if you avoid any harsh chemicals.

[MaternalLove]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Yes I am also unable to wash my windows or paint the house outside until all the spider eggs hatch in the Spring. And with any luck that will continue until well into the summer when I still won't be able to do anything for fear of disturbing the spiderlings first webs!

There are a number of spider strategies for overwintering as eggs, juveniles or a few adults.

And while I wouldn't want those who are excessively house proud to read this - with care you should be able to wash around the spider eggs without damaging them if you avoid any harsh chemicals.

Thanks Geoff
I very rarely clean the windows, but it has got beyond the pale! I shall go around the nursery as carefully as I can.
On Christmas morning we went downstairs and found that one of these beautiful spiders (I love those ginger stripey legs!) had got in (probably when the window was open a crack on Christmas Eve when I was boiling the gammon) and made a web across the kitchen above the sink. It was a shame to disturb it, but we did need to use the taps! I evicted it out to a wall that gets a lot of sunlight, and has lots of chinks where a spider might scrape a living.