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The Lethal Bite Of The European Garden Spider

  • Writer: Lacerta Bilineata
    Lacerta Bilineata
  • Jun 29
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 1

A European garden spider - also known as "cross spider" or "cross orb-weaver" (Araneus diadematus) - about to bite its victim
A European garden spider - also known as "cross spider" or "cross orb-weaver" (Araneus diadematus) - about to bite its victim

Although the bite of a European garden spider is not dangerous to humans, it is all the more deadly for insects that get caught in its web. The photos show how this huge female injects its venom into a wasp with its chelicerae.


The venomous fangs - the “chelicerae” - of the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus) are clearly visible in the photo
The venomous fangs - the “chelicerae” - of the European garden spider are clearly visible in the photo

It was pure luck that I caught the exact moment of the spider injecting its venom into its prey with my camera: just as I was trying to photograph a huge cross orb-weaver in my garden, the wasp flew into its web. Within seconds, the spider had wrapped up the insect, while I was clicking away wildly.


The victim - a scoliid wasp (Scolia hirta) - tried to defend itself with its sting, but the moment the spider injected its venom, the fight was instantly over.


The cross spider (Araneus diadematus) sinks its chelicerae deep into the wasp, the venom will dissolve and liquefy the victim's internal structures
The cross spider sinks its chelicerae deep into the wasp, the venom will dissolve and liquefy the victim's internal structures
After the venom of the cross spider (Araneus diadematus) has taken effect and the inside of the wasp has liquefied, it is sucked out by the spider
After the venom of the cross spider has taken effect and the inside of the wasp has liquefied, it is sucked out by the spider

With a body length of up to approx. 2.2 cm (not including the legs), the garden spider is one of the largest European spiders. Depending on the environment, this species can be colored differently; it lives between 1 to a maximum of 3 years, depending on the environmental conditions, and is often found in our gardens. The males are significantly smaller than the females and also have a shorter lifespan; it is also not uncommon for them to be eaten by the females after mating.


Cross spiders are not aggressive towards humans, and you would have to provoke them very strongly or hold them in your hand for them to bite. The largest specimens are able to penetrate the thinnest parts of human skin with their chelicerae when they bite, but the venom is harmless to humans (unless someone has an allergic reaction).


A cross orb-weaver has caught a fly in its web
A cross orb-weaver has caught a fly in its web

In case you're interested, you'll find my best nature photos here

5 Comments


Cecilia Moore.
Cecilia Moore.
5 hours ago

Your post about the European garden spider is both gripping and beautifully written it really highlights the delicate balance between its graceful appearance and deadly venom. It reminded me of a nature writing piece I prepared, which greatly benefited from book editing and formatting services to ensure scientific accuracy without losing narrative flow. Final polishing like that makes all the difference in readability, especially when translating complex facts into engaging storytelling.

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Cecilia Moore.
Cecilia Moore.
5 hours ago

The detail in this post about the European garden spider’s bite is both fascinating and a little unsettling it really shows how much we underestimate common backyard species. While reading, I was reminded of a nature project I’ve been shaping with help from book publishing services offered by InkLink Publishing. Learning how to present wildlife topics clearly has made me appreciate posts like yours even more. It’s amazing how strong storytelling can bring even tiny creatures to life.

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Aimee Mowbray
Aimee Mowbray
3 days ago

What an intriguing article the detail on the European garden spider’s behavior and venom effects was both fascinating and educational. While preparing for an online exam on arachnology and ecosystem interrelations, I also studied how authors evaluate top self publishing book companies to best distribute their narratives about science and nature. It’s amazing to see how academic rigor and publishing strategy intersect in unexpected ways

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Mona Spiers
Mona Spiers
3 days ago

I enjoyed how the blog described the European garden spider’s behavior, especially the vivid moment when it captured the wasp and delivered its venom, making the whole scene feel almost cinematic. Using Can i pay someone do my online class here fits naturally because learning about these tiny predators can be overwhelming, yet the author’s clear explanation made the spider’s harmlessness to humans easy to understand while still keeping the story engaging.

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Nancy Smith
Nancy Smith
4 days ago

Reading about the “lethal bite” of the European garden spider, I found myself metaphorically drawn to a moment last fall when I seriously considered the idea to pay someone to do my online class it seemed like the easiest escape as the workload tangled and deadlines lurked in every corner. But in the space of hesitation I realised what I’d risked losing wasn’t just grades or time it was the moment of understanding, the clarity of doing something myself, and the growth that comes when you face the web instead of choosing the shortcut.

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