Gorse Orbweaver

The adult males of these spiders reach 4.6–6.2 millimetres (0.18–0.24 in) of length, while females are 6.5–10.3 millimetres (0.26–0.41 in) long. The coloration of the body is very variable. The basic color varies from light or dark brown to yellowish-orange. They usually show a dark longitudinal band in the middle of the abdomen, with some trasversal bands. Sometimes the opisthosoma has two large white spots or one dark brown light-edged spot on the back. Chelicerae and legs are brown. The whole body is densely hairy, especially in the anterior body section (prosoma). The thorax is relatively broad, pear-shaped. The abdomen (opisthosoma) is quite flat and wider than long.

This species is present in most of Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to South Siberia), Iran, Central Asia and China. These 'orbweavers' prefer open habitats, like sandy and arid grasslands, dry shrubs and bushes, sunny edges of woods, warm steppes, etc.