Garden Orbweavers
Argiope
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Infraorder: Araneomorphae
- Family: Araneidae
- Genus: Argiope
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Argiope: //ˌɑrˈdʒaɪ.əˌpi//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Argiope, commonly known as garden orbweavers, is a genus of large orb-weaving spiders known for their unique web structure featuring a stabilimentum, their vivid coloration, and their widespread presence in gardens across North America and beyond.
Physical Characteristics
Males range from 5–9 mm (0.20–0.35 in) in body length; females range from 19–28 mm (0.75–1.10 in). Females have distinctive yellow and black markings on the abdomen and a mostly white cephalothorax.
Identification Tips
Look for the zigzagging white silk stabilimentum in the web. A. aurantia has yellow on the anterior abdomen resembling two short parallel lines, while A. trifasciata's abdomen resembles a long 'V'.
Habitat
Usually found in open sunny fields, along eaves of houses, in tall vegetation, and often in gardens.
Distribution
Found from Canada to Colombia, with wide distribution in the contiguous United States, Hawaii, southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America.
Diet
Primarily preys on small insects and some small vertebrates like geckos and green anoles, kills prey by injecting venom and wrapping it in silk for later consumption.
Life Cycle
Breeds twice yearly. Males build a small web near the female's, court her by plucking web strands, then transfer sperm. Males often die post-mating. Females lay egg sacs containing over a thousand eggs, which hatch in spring.
Reproduction
Males court females by strumming their webs. After mating, the female lays egg sacs, which can number between one to four, suspended near or away from their webs. First instars emerge in the spring.
Predators
Birds, wasps, and other larger predators, though Argiope spiders often evade them by dropping from webs.
Ecosystem Role
Predators of insects, helping control their populations; may attract attention from larger predators themselves.
Cultural Significance
Widely recognized and often found in gardens; associated with good luck in some cultures due to their vibrant coloration and presence.
Health Concerns
Bites can occur but are typically non-aggressive and comparable to a bee sting; minor redness and swelling may occur. Caution advised for vulnerable populations.
Collecting Methods
- Netting
- Hand collecting
- Baiting
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol
- Freezing
- Drying
Misconceptions
Their web structure and presence may lead one to believe they are aggressive hunters, whereas they are primarily passive trap spiders.
Tags
- spider
- Argiope
- garden orbweaver
- yellow garden spider
- Ornamental Spider