Cricket Bat Spider/ Lined Orb Weaver Mangora acalypha

The Cricket Bat Spider, named after the pattern on its back that is said to look like a cricket bat, is also called the Lined Orb Weaver, a name also given to Mangora gibberosa.

Size 5-6mm. Prevalent in much of Western and Central Europe, including the southern part of England and Wales.

Prey is caught on the edge of the web, spun in silk webbing (using back legs to spin the prey) and taken to the centre.