Prickly-pear-association

Guides

• Argiope argentata

  Silver Argiope, Silver Garden Spider, Silver Garden Orbweaver

  Argiope argentata is a large, striking orb-weaving spider found from the southern United States through Central and South America to Chile and Argentina. Females are notable for their silvery cephalothorax and distinctive X-shaped stabilimentum in their webs, formed by four zigzag silk bands. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism, with females reaching 12–16 mm body length while males are only 4–5 mm. Unlike many temperate Argiope species that mature in late summer, A. argentata adults may be found year-round in warmer regions, with males maturing as early as February. The spider incorporates UV-reflecting silks into both its body coloration and web decorations, which may function to attract pollinating prey by mimicking floral signals.

  orb-weaverstabilimentumsexual-cannibalismUV-reflectancesexual-dimorphismsilver-colorationX-shaped-webwarm-climateyear-round-activityweb-flexingplugging-behaviorharmless-to-humansagricultural-habitatprickly-pear-associationpopulation-extinction-dynamics