Argiope argentata

Argiope argentata

Argiope argentata is a native to the American tropics and subtropics spider from the family of the Real orb-weaving spiders.

Description

The males reach a body length of about 4 mm, females up to 14 mm. In females, the prosoma ( cephalothorax ) is hairy silvery- white. The opisthosoma (abdomen) is the upper side in the front part also silvery- white and shows from around the middle of two broad, dark, usually yellowish brown longitudinal bands that fuse together in an extreme case. The opisthosoma has on the outer edges of two paired, large, hump-like appendages on. The legs are striped light and dark.

In contrast to the females in the male prosoma is yellowish and brownish shows two longitudinal bands. The opisthosoma is whitish and also shows two brown longitudinal bands, it has no side projection.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of Argiope argentata ranges from the southern United States ( south of the states of California, Texas, Arizona and Florida) south to central Argentina. The species inhabits bushes and gardens, very frequently it is found on cacti.

Network construction

The orb web is similar to that of native to Central Europe Wespenspinne most wide zigzag bands, called Stabilimente. In Argiope argentata up to four Stabilimente in the network may be present, which then result in a very striking X -shape. The spider sits like all members of the genus mostly upside down in the middle of the network.

Females shortly after molting, above the old skin