Cucumber Green Spider* (Araniella opisthographa)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Name Etymology: Araniella (?) opisthographa ("writing on the back")

Adult Cucumber Green Spider* (Araniella opisthographa) at Geddington, Northants - June 2016

* This name is shared by several very similar species.

Featured Subspecies: ?
Length: 6mm  /  Weight: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

As with many of the smaller invertibrates, this identification is somewhat tentative - there are two very similar species that can only be identifified at a very close level but opisthographa is more common near to me than cucurbitina.  Both species are notable for their distinctive green abdomen.

Related Species:
ORDER: Araneae
FAMILY: Araneidae
GENUS: Araniella
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread resident.

 - Seen at Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

European Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus)

OTHER NAMES: Diadem Spider, Cross Spider, Crowned Orb Weaver

Latin Etymology: Araneus ("spider") diadematus ("wearing a diadem or crown")

Adult European Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus - unknwon subspecies) at Geddington, Northants - October 2010

Featured Subspecies: Unknown
Weight: ?  /  Length: 5.5-20mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The European Garden Spider is one of the most common and recognisable species of Spider in the UK, as its name suggests, often found in gardens.  Though the individual here doesn't show it that well, it is recognisable by the white cross on the brown background markings on its abdomen.  They can grow fairly large - up to 2cm long, but differ greatly between male and female.

Related Species:
Order: Araneae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Araneus
SUBSPECIES: A. d. islandicus, A. d. nemorosus, A. d. soror, A. d. stellatus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread resident

 - Seen at Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto  .