Autumn Orb-Weaver

I sketched this spider to get its pattern into my head before I searched for it online. I found an image that looked like it and was pleased when I read in the accompanying text that it has a tuning fork shaped mark on its carapace. This is clearly visible in my pic. It is the commonest orb weaving spider, I'm surprised, I thought the garden spider would be the most common. As well as autumn orb-weaver, it is also known as the lesser garden spider and the Eurasian armoured long-jawed spider. The segmentata part of its scientific name refers to the likeness of its patterning to a type of Roman Empire armour.

Sorry arachnophobes, it is Arachtober after all. :)