A very conspicuous spider with a dark thorax and almost luminous, yellow-green abdomen, this species spins an orb web in tall vegetation, trees and bushes.

It is very common in gardens but sometimes overlooked as its striking colours are good camouflage amongst green leaves. Like all the other British spiders, this is exclusively a carnivore. It is harmless to humans.

This spider does not use a hideout, because it is camouflaged by its green colour. Adult spiders first show this colour in spring. Freshly hatched spiderlings are red, and change to brown before the autumn. On the end of the abdomen there is a red mark in adults.