The Garden cross spider (Araneus diadematus) is a common and delightful site that is found in gardens up and down the country between June and November. As one of our largest spiders this ‘orb-web spider’ cannot be missed due to its highly distinctive cross of pale spots across its bulbous abdomen. The adult females grow to 15mm (body length), and males to 9mm. Their colours range from a sandy brown to burnt orange or even almost completely black.