Argiope argentata

Argiope argentata
In California
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Argiope
Species: A. argentata
Binomial name
Argiope argentata
(Fabricius, 1775)
Synonyms

Aranea argentata
Aranea mammeata
Aranea mammata
Epeira mammata
Argyopes argentatus
Argyopes fenestrinus
Epeira argentata
Epeira amictoria
Plectana sloanii
Epeira gracilis
Argiope carinata
Acrosoma sloanii
Argyopes maronicus
Argyopes subtilis
Argyopes hirtus
Argiope waughi
Araneus gracilis
Micrathena sloanei
Argiope submaronica
Gea panamensis
Micrathena sloani
Argiope coyunii
Argiope filiargentata
Argiope filinfracta
Singa gracilis
Aranea gracilenta
Argiope indistincta
Argiope hirta

Argiope argentata is a member of the Argiope genus of spiders and is also known as the Silver Argiope.

Description

As with most members of the Argiope genus the female of the species tends to be much larger than the male. The body of Argiope argentata tends to be primarily silver with brown and orange colorations further back on the abdomen on the top, with a primarily brown underbelly. The legs have bands of orange, black and silver. The female can be up to 35mm in length whereas the male tends to be 20mm or less.

Location

The range of Argiope argentata extends from the USA in the north (from southern California to Florida) as far as Argentina in the south, although it prefers warmer, dryer areas. They can often be found on prickly pears in the fall.

Bite

The bite may sting and itch for about an hour, after which the pain usually passes away without serious after effects. However, the effect on small children, seniors and people in a poor state of health may be more serious.

References

  1. SDNHM - San Diego Natural History Museum - pictures and descriptions
  2. UCI - University of California Irvine, Biology - good pictures
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Argiope argentata.

External links

Wikispecies has information related to: Argiope argentata