Argiope aurantia occurs in North and Central America from southern Canada to Costa Rica. It is found in forest openings, savannas, grasslands, scrublands, edges of wetlands, fields, and gardens; often in sunlit areas. Aposematically coloured: mostly white or silvery cephalothorax, and a black and yellow abdomen. Adult female body length is 14-28 mm, and male’s 5-9 mm. The female’s web is circular, up to 60 cm in diameter, with dense vertical zigzag bands of silk, known as a stabilimentum, in the center. The males sometimes build a small web at the edge of the female’s web. A. aurantia occupies the center of the web, usually facing down; often holding its legs together in pairs. The female produces 1-4 egg sacs, attaching it to the web. This species preys on small insects (flies, wasps, bees, grasshoppers, etc.); occasionally on small lizards (e.g., anoles and geckos). Females live slightly over a year in temperate climates, but for several years in the tropics and in captivity.

18493 Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) Jalpan de Serra Querétaro, Mexico Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved

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