2.5 to 6 mm. Parasteatoda lunata has a distinctive large yellowish patch posteriorly on its unusually proportioned abdomen, and red patches laterally, contrasting with black overall colour. There is also another form which is browner in colour.

P. simulans is more similar to P. tepidariorum in colour – both are duller than P. lunata.

Usually associated with bushes and trees. The large scaffold webs of this spider are found on bushes and the lower branches of trees, 1.5 to 2 metres above the ground and in large crevices on the sides of trunks such as old birch trees.

May to September.

The spider is widespread in much of England but apparently absent to the north of the Humber and from most of western Britain.  It is rather local and infrequent in distribution.

Infrequent in VC55; there are 12 records prior to September 2018.