Cross Orbweaver Araneus diadematus

Look for the distinctive white cross pattern adorning this spider's brown abdomen—a marking that inspired most of its many common names. So abundant and beloved in Europe that it's been deliberately introduced to North America, where it thrives in gardens and wild areas. This spider builds beautiful, geometrically precise orb webs that catch the morning dew like jewelry. With its striking appearance and web-building prowess, it's earned recognition as one of the most recognizable spiders in the Northern Hemisphere. (Don't confuse it with the pumpkin spider—a completely different species!)