Argiope bruennichi

Wasp spider
Argiope bruennichi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Family:	Araneidae
Genus:	Argiope
Species:	A. bruennichi
Binomial name
Argiope bruennichi (Scopoli, 1772)
Synonyms
Aranea brünnichii Aranea speciosa Aranea senoculata (misident.) Aranea fasciata Aranea zebra Aranea formosa Aranea pulchra Aranea caspia Aranea phragmitis Segestria pulchra Miranda transalpina Epeira speciosa Nephila transalpina Epeira fasciata Nephila fasciata Miranda zabonica Argiope brünnichi Argiope bruennichii

Argiope bruennichi, egg sac

Several eggsacks

Female spider guarding eggsack

The wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi) is a species of orb-web spider distributed throughout central Europe, northern Europe, north Africa, parts of Asia and in the Azores archipelago.^[1] Like many other members of the genus Argiope, (including St Andrew's Cross spiders), it shows striking yellow and black markings on its abdomen.

The spider builds a spiral orb web at dawn or dusk, commonly in long grass a little above ground level, taking it approximately an hour. The prominent zigzag shape called the stabilimentum, or web decoration, featured at the centre of the orb is of uncertain function, though it may be to attract insects.

Female Wasp Spider attacks hover fly caught in web

A female quickly immobilises a grasshopper by wrapping it in silk. The prey is bitten and injected with dissolving enzymes.

When a prey item is first caught in the web, Argiope bruennichi will quickly immobilise its prey by wrapping it in silk. The prey is then bitten and then injected with a paralysing venom and a protein dissolving enzyme.

The male of the species is much smaller than the female. It can often be seen in or near a female's web waiting for her to complete her final moult, at which time she reaches sexual maturity. At this time her chelicerae (jaws) will be soft for a short time and the male may mate with the female without the danger of being eaten.

During Summer 2006, research was carried out in the UK to find that there has been an influx of these spiders to the UK. The colour is still similar, although the yellow stripes are a bit more cream coloured.^[2]

In 2008 Aidan Grady, Christie van Tinteren and Matthew Secombe were responsible for the discovery of well over 100 of these spiders. The colony was later discovered to be the largest found in the UK. The team worked with Plymouth University and the RSPB to catalogue the discovery and learn more about the spiders. Sir David Attenborough said that the discovery was remarkable.

This species of spider was featured in the movie Eight Legged Freaks as the main species antagonists.

There is one subspecies currently recognized:

• Argiope bruennichi nigrofasciata Franganillo, 1910 (Portugal)

References

• "Argiope bruennichi". Fauna Europaea. 2004. Retrieved 2006-05-24. 
• "Extra silk structure in the web". Proc Biol Sci. 2005. Retrieved 2008-12-15. 

External links

• Picture of A. bruennichi
• Wasp spider pictures Wildlife Wasp spider photos of female and male
• Video of A. bruennichi eating
• 3D Photo of A. bruennichi
• Argiope bruennichi at the Encyclopedia of Life
• BBC report Why bruennichi is spreading north.
• Wasp Spider Picture Photographed in Israel

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