UK Spider identification

[Apache64]

These pictures were taken just over a month apart. Initially because the spider is pretty much in the same place on both occasions, I had assumed it may have been the same one. But having looked more closely, now I'm not so sure as the abdomen looks much larger on the later picture.

Whilst in picture one, from September, I could quite clearly see the top of the spider, because of the position of the web I could not see its underside. In picture two, taken today (14 October) the opposite applies. I didn't want to go destroying its web just for the sake of satisfying my own curiousity.





Could they be the same spider or might they even be completely different species do you think?

[aeshna5]

Garden Orb-web Spider, Araneus diadematus.

[Meta menardi]

Another example of just how diverse this common but spectacular spider can be.

[nikolai_avenger]

There's a chance it is the same spider. I find they are usually quite sedentary creatures once a good spot has been found. A. diadematus grow throughout the summer, normally reaching their peak in early autumn when some fairly large individuals can be found. A lot of the females will be 'gravid' at this time as well, this adding to their size.

Cheers. Nik.

[wilippa]

A particularly dark specimen in my garden remained in the same place for many weeks. She had obviously found a good spot between the fence and compost bin as she remade her web in the same position over and over again. She ended the summer rather large and round. Whilst I was away in the last week of September she abandoned her web - around the same time many of the individuals in my garden went. I know that the Compost Bin Queen was the same one as her dark colour was unlike any other in the garden (most of mine are orangey-brown). Also she was fairly territorial (and large!).

[Apache64]

Thanks for all your replies on this thread. Looking outside now I feel sorry for spidey. A bitter cold wind and driving rain.