English: The female cross spider or crowned orb weaver (Araneus diadematus Clerck, 1757) is an infraorder species of araneomorphic spiders (Araneomorphae Millot, 1933) from a family orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae Simon, 1895). The species is distributed throughout Ukraine. Spiders feed on all the insects they can catch in their nets, such as wasps, bumblebees, bees, flies and butterflies. The spider bites and wraps the web of prey and wraps it with cobwebs, after which it is digested with the help of digestive enzymes. When the spider is full, it only entangles its prey with a web and leaves it hanging on the net for stock. The cross spider catches its prey with a spider web. Spiders' spinning machines consist of external formations - spider warts - and internal organs - spider glands. Three pairs of spider warts are located near the posterior end of the abdomen. Each such wart is pierced at the end with a hundred small holes. A drop of sticky liquid flows from each hole, which is pulled into the thinnest thread when the spider moves. These threads merge into one and quickly thicken in the air. The result is a thin but strong thread. This sticky fluid is secreted by numerous spider glands located in the back of the abdomen. Ducts open on their spider warts. The body of females is longer than that of males (20-25 and 10-11 mm, respectively). Males have a much narrower abdomen. The cruciate spider has a cross-shaped pattern on the dorsal surface of the abdomen. The covers of this spider have a layer of waxy substance that prevents water from evaporating. The cephalothorax is covered with a thick and strong cephalothorax shield, in front of which are eight simple eyes. The cross spider bite is considered safe for health.

English: Large female cross spider