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Description of Araneus marmoreus (Marbled orb weaver)
Physical Characteristics
Colour and markings highly variable.
Female 5 to 21 mm.
Abdomen grey, brown, yellow or orange with a white, sometimes yellow or light red, cross-shaped pattern and numerous spots in the same colour. A second colour variant has a yellow basic colour with a large dark spot on top.
Carapace greyish brown with a thin black median band.
Legs and palps clearly light-dark annulated.
Male 5 to 9 mm.
Markings and colours almost identical to the female.
Habitat
Humid areas in bushes and trees.
Distribution
Common in the whole of Europe.
Period
Summer and autumn.