Zygiella x-notata, Missing Sector Orb Weaver

Common Name: Missing Sector Orb Weaver

Zygiella x-notata is a species widespread in much of Britain, more scattered and patchy in the north. It has a silver-grey coloured abdomen with a brown oak leaf pattern on the back, the legs light brown with darker brown bands.

This spider is typically found on buildings and street furniture and is often found in the outside corners of windows. This spider has a very distinctive orb-web which always looks as if there is a triangular section missing (hence the common name, Missing Sector Orb Weaver). Running through the middle of the missing section is a single thread of silk which leads to the spiders retreat.

Adults have been recorded throughout the year, but mostly in late summer and autumn. Single egg-sacs, covered loosely with yellow silk, are produced in autumn and winter and are affixed to solid surfaces. Spiderlings emerge from the egg-sacs in spring.

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