The Cross Orbweaver, named for the white cross on the topside of the abdomen, was introduced to North America from Western and Northern Europe. It now ranges mostly in southern Canada and the northern third of the US, but is uncommon in the Great Plains area. Gardens are good places to look for them. And while the females are immature, you may observe an interesting behavior—because males reach reach sexual maturity before females do, they will often pair off with an immature female in order to claim her.
Size: Body length adult female: 6-20mm. Body length adult male: 6-13mm.
Photo by: Cathy Houle Barrows on 8/9/22 in Arlee, MT