How Long Do Garden Spiders Live?
WouterGarden spiders are very common in the United Kingdom and are found in various habitats. These insects help control annoying bugs and mites. They are mostly non-aggressive and are regarded as harmless to humans. However, they can cause swelling, redness and itching.
Most garden spiders live for one year. However, some species can have a fast life cycle in warmer climates.
The female garden spider lays one to five egg sacs on a web. Each egg sac is about half an inch in diameter and is covered in brown silk. Flies and wasps are known to parasitize these egg cases.
Male garden spiders spend most of their time looking for mates. During mating, the male leaves the palps behind, which stores sperm. Once the mating is complete, the male dies.
Female spiders build a larger web than the male. This web can reach a diameter of two feet. The webs usually contain a dense area of silk towards the center. This may be used to attract prey or to warn birds of a web’s presence.
Garden spiders are active during daylight hours. During the day, the spider spins its web. At night, the spider may stay in the same spot or move to a new location.
In addition to attracting insects, the web helps to protect the spider from predators. The web may be seen in many locations, including porch overhangs, between trees, or in plants. Some species use the sticky silk in the outer spiral of the web to keep prey in place.
