The garden spider, particularly those in the Araneidae family, such as the common garden spider (Araneus diadematus), can be considered a generalist. They exhibit a wide tolerance for various environmental conditions and can thrive in diverse habitats, including gardens, fields, and forests.
As generalists, garden spiders are not particularly specialized in their prey selection; they commonly feed on a variety of insects, which allows them to adapt to different ecological niches. Their ability to capture a broad range of prey types contributes to their successful establishment in various environments. Thus, in terms of ecological niche classification, garden spiders would generally be classified as generalists.