Best time to see: Apr to mid Oct

Key facts

A small, predominantly lime-green spider that spins its web in tall vegetation and in shrubs to catch flying insects

Common in gardens as well as natural areas, but often overlooked because so well camouflaged

Recognition

Apple green abdomen with paler sides and a red spot above the spinnerets

Females up to 8mm; males up to 5mm

Araniella opistographa is very similar

Lifecycle

The female builds a small, neat orb-web in a bush or tall vegetation, catching and feeding on flying insects

She lays a cluster of eggs in a silk cocoon under a leaf and guards it until they have hatched