very common and widespread orb weaver species

5840  Attached is a photo taken at our home in Miramichi, NB. It was taken on October 13 on an average sunny/cloudy day. The body of the spider was about 1 cm. across. It had constructed a web outside a main picture window at the front of our house (facing NW). It did not appear to be aggressive, staying in one spot as I got within a few inches to take the photo.  John

This is an orb weaver in the genus Araneus; it appears to be Araneus diadematus, a very common and widespread species on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. It is known as the cross spider or cross orb weaver in North America and the European garden spider in Europe. I saw several specimens in southern England while on a trip there earlier this month. All orb weavers are harmless to humans. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.