The Guardian is asking for nominations for the Invertebrate of the Year, and you can submit your choice!

I made a safe and conventional pick.

Parasteatoda tepidariorum

This is not the most glamorous spider — it’s extremely common, found in pretty much every home (although you may not know about them!), and represents a diverse group of invertebrate predators. In the last few decades it has become a useful standard model system in developmental biology. This spider is a workhorse for science!

They’re also pretty. I’ve got one on my computer desk, in a vial, and I occasionally give her a mealworm. She’s a quiet and pleasant pet.