Banded garden orbweaver, Argiope trifasciata
(Araneae: Araneidae)

Males and females of this species are similar in appearance except for size (females are 2.0 to 3.0 cm in length, while males are 1.5 to 2.0 cm in length). These spiders are very large and boldly colored with long legs. The abdomen has a series of lateral whitish to pale yellow stripes along the dorsal area. The anterior body is pale yellow, covered with silvery hairs and many thin silver and yellow transverse lines that alternate with black on the ventral side of the abdomen. The legs are spotted and the abdomen is pointed towards the posterior end of its body.

Within a few weeks of mating, the female may deposit one or two egg sacs before she dies. The egg sac is brown, flat-topped and cup shaped, and may contain over 100 eggs. The shape of the egg sac is characteristic of this species.

This species builds webs in tall grasses in sunny areas throughout the southern United States, and feeds on insects and many other small arthropods.

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Adult banded garden orbweaver, Argiope trifasciata.
(Photographer: Paul Choate, University of Florida)

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