This spider is sometimes known as the lesser garden spider and is a common garden orb-weaver. Smaller than Araneus diadematus this spider is almost as variable in colour and pattern. In late summer and autumn the male of the species can be seen waiting patiently in a corner of the female's web, when the female catches an insect and begins wrapping it the male will quickly mate with the female. By mating at this time the male avoids being eaten by the female and will be able to mate again perhaps with a different female on another day.

The male has a smaller abdomen and longer legs than the female. This is problably because the male has to walk and climb around alot to find the female - if the male had the same proportions as the female he would not be able to do this very well.

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