Lesser/Metellina Garden Spider also Lesser/Metellina Garden Orb Weaver

The Lesser or Metellina Orb Weaver spider, also called Lesser/Metellina Garden Spider, looks similar to the Common or Cross Garden Spider from the underside when sitting in her similar orb web. However, the underside has two parallel lines the extent of the abdomen whereas on the Common Garden Spider the two parallel lines go only half way and end in a blob like a flag on a pole. The back of the Metellina has a barred (segmented) pattern but does not have the cross which distinguishes the Cross Orb or Common Garden spider.