Araniella sp. © Frank Porch
Arianella sp. © Tom Hibbert
Cucumber spider
Scientific name: Araniella cucurbitina
There are several species of cucumber spider, recognised by their bright green abdomen.
Species information
Category
Statistics
Male length: 3.5-4mmFemale legnth: 4-6mm
Conservation status
Common
When to see
April to SeptemberAbout
Cucumber spiders are a common sight across the UK, found along the edges of woodlands, in hedgerows and many other habitats with trees or bushes. They spin small webs amongst the foliage to catch flying insects. Rather than hiding away, cucumber spiders often sit out in the open, relying on their green body to camouflage them as they wait to pounce on any prey caught in their web.There are five British species of cucumber spider, four of which need to be viewed under a microscope to identify to species. Only two of these are common - Araniella cucurbitina and the virtually identical Araniella opisthographa.
How to identify
Both common species of cucumber spider have a glossy, yellowish-brown carapace and a bright, apple-green abdomen with paler sides. When seen from below, there is an obvious red spot just above the spinnerets.Distribution
Common and widespread through England and Wales, scarcer in Scotland and Northern Ireland.Did you know?
The cucumber spider was first described in 1757 by Carl Clerck, a Swedish tax collector and amateur entomologist and arachnologist.
Buff-tailed BumbleBee © Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography