Glen Parva & Glenhills Nature Reserve - Species List

European Garden Spider - Araneus diadematus
John F Sept 2016

Adult spiders' colouring can range from extremely light yellow to very dark grey, but all European garden spiders have mottled markings across the back, with five or more large, white dots forming a cross. The white dots result from cells filled with guanine, which is a by-product of protein metabolism.
Adult females range in length from 6.5 to 20 mm, while males range from 5.5 to 13 mm. During mating, the much smaller male will approach the female cautiously. If not careful, he could end up being eaten by her



European Garden Spiderlings
Sue & Roy 20140422
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Almost fluorescent yellow with a single round black blob on their backs, the spiders are the produce of the common Araneus diadematus - or cross orbweaver - species, which lays anywhere from 300 to 800 eggs each autumn.The mothering spider then cements her minuscule eggs together by covering them in a dense layer of coarse protective yellow silk and detritus - fragments of dead organisms and fecal matter - to protect them over the winter until they hatch in spring and early summer.

This spider is commonly found on lower bushes and vegetation in a range of habitats including gardens. It spins a very noticeable horizontal sheet web and awaits the arrival of prey in an upside down position on the under side of the web. The species is adult in late summer and autumn.
It is one of the largest Money spiders.

Nursery Web Spider - Pisaura mirabilis
John F Sept 2017

Male length: 10-13 mm. Female length: 12-15 mm. They vary in colour from grey through orangey to dark brown. The abdomen is slender and is divided by a pale line and there are pale 'tear marks' at the sides of its eyes. Usually found in Nettle beds or other dense vegetation.
It likes to sunbathe and typically holds its front two pairs of legs together pointing forwards. During mating the male presents the female with a carefully wrapped insect as a present. The female carries her eggs in a ball shaped, pea-sized sack with her. Just before the babies hatch she builds a silk tent and puts them inside for protection. Feeds on flies and other small insects. It uses quick sprinting and strength to overpower its prey.

The Knopper Gall is caused by a tiny gall wasp, Andricus quercuscalicis. It produces ridged outgrowths on the acorns of our native Pedunculate Oak; forming in August they are sticky and red, later becoming woody and brown. A second generation then develops in the catkins of Turkey Oak.
The Knopper Gall is a nobbly, bowl-shaped protrusion from acorns.