Lesser Garden Spider
Metellina segmentata
The Lesser Garden Spider is a medium-sized orb-weaver spider belonging to the family Tetragnathidae. It is widespread across Central Europe and primarily inhabits gardens, hedges, forest edges, and low-lying vegetation. A characteristic feature is its often tilted orb web with an open hub, where the spider typically waits for prey. Its coloration varies from yellowish-white to brownish, featuring a distinct leaf-like pattern on the abdomen.
Details
Identification
Dark longitudinal stripe on the underside of the cephalothorax (sternum) extending to the posterior end; inclined web orientation; open web hub.
Social behavior
Solitary; during the mating season, males often stay at the edge of a female's web, waiting for the female to catch prey to approach her safely.
Diet
The diet consists of small to medium-sized flying insects such as flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and small moths.
Hunting strategy
Construction of an orb web to catch insects; the spider usually sits in the open hub or in a retreat at the edge of the web.
Overwintering
The species typically overwinters in the egg stage within a protective cocoon.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important predator in the ecosystem for regulating insect populations in the shrub layer.
Natural predators
Birds, insectivorous mammals, parasitic wasps, and larger spider species.
Competitor species
Other orb-weaver spiders such as Metellina mengei or the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus).
Ecosystem service
Biological pest control through the consumption of garden and forest pests.
Threats
Pesticide use in gardens and agriculture as well as the loss of hedgerow structures.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
The most important feature for distinguishing it from M. mengei is the dark median stripe on the sternum, which extends to the anterior margin in M. segmentata. Furthermore, males of M. segmentata lack the long bristles on the metatarsi of the first pair of legs. The species reaches maturity primarily in late summer and autumn (phenology).
Habitat
Euryoecious species inhabiting a wide range of habitats: forest edges, hedges, gardens, shrubbery, and tall herb communities. It is one of the most common spider species in urban and suburban areas in Central Europe.
Role in food web
Important predator for regulating insect populations. Serves as prey for songbirds, ichneumon wasps, and predatory insects.
Protection & threats
Main threats
No acute threats currently known. The species is considered highly adaptable and is common throughout its entire range.
Population trend
Stable; populations are widespread in Germany and Europe and show no declining trends.