Characteristically, this species is known to build a web with a missing sector containing solely a signal thread in the top half. The species has also been referred to commonly as the silver-sided sector spider. Taxonomy Zygiella x-notata was named by Clerck in 1757. The taxonomic status of the species is still considered valid. Zygiella x-notata (Clerck, 1757) — Holarctic, Neotropical Habitat and distribution Habitat Zygiella x-notata is common in areas inhabited by humans, including on boats and docks. They are also found on urban vegetation like bushes or shrubs. Females construct an orb-web preferentially near human settlements, and this is where they live out their adult lives. Zygiella x-notata has been discovered on cliffs and bushes in Britain and across Europe. Distribution This species of orb-weaving spider natively inhabits areas of Europe, and is invasive in some coastal areas of the Americas. They can also be found in some other locations around the world. Zygiella x-notata is abundant in the west Palearctic region, and is also distributed across the Holarctic. Primarily, Z. x-notata is widespread across much of Britain, as well as Western and Central Europe. Web aggregations As urban colonizers, Zygiella x-notata often aggregate around human settlements. Ideal locations for web building include constructions such as walls, fences, and window frames, as these provide sufficient anchors for urban web development. Because these spaces are in high demand as optimal web building sites, they are often inhabited by multiple individual Zygiella x-notata spiders, where each individual builds and resided in their own web in close proximity with other individuals. Despite their characterization as solitary spiders, the species aggregate up to 25 individual spiders per square meter near human constructions. Diet Feeding Juvenile zygiella x-notata characteristically build a new web each day until they reach adulthood. Adult Zygiella x-notata spin orb-webs which are used to capture and incapacitate prey. Rather than building a new web every day as juveniles do, adult female Z. x-notata build an initial web and renew it nearly every day as needed. The female spider will sit in her retreat on the web, which is attached to a signal strand in the characteristic missing orb-web sector. When prey are caught in the web, the female can thus detect its presence through vibrations in the signal strand. As these vibrations are detected, she climbs down the silken signal thread to the hub of the web where the