This gorgeous spider created its web in a bush in my garden. I nearly stuck my nose into it when reaching to pull out a weed! It’s a female St Andrew’s Cross spider:

We see these spiders quite often. They always spin thick twirls radiating out from the centre of the web, usually four as this one has done. The spider arranges itself carefully so that its body and legs complete the pattern. X marks the spot where the spider lurks!

It’s not a four-legged spider! It’s arranged its legs in pairs. As you can see in this photo. the female has  silvery squiggles on its thorax, and stripes of yellow, silver and black on its abdomen, with some polka dots thrown in for good measure. The male spiders are smaller and less colorful, primarily light brown and beige.

St Andrew’s Cross spiders aren’t dangerous to humans. They’ll try their best not to bite you, and their venom doesn’t do too much harm. I’m glad, though, that I didn’t actually bump it with my nose!