SILVER ARGIOPE Argiope Argentata Order: Araneae Family: Araneidae Genus: Argiope Species: Argentata Other Common Names: Silver Garden Orb Weaver Male size: 4 mm Female size: 12 mm Habitat: shrubs, gardens, forest, prickly-pear plants Range: US Southern and Gulf States - Central Argentina

Identification

The principal characteristic of Argiope spiders is the presence, in their orb web, of an eye-catching zigzagging white silk banner called stabilimentum; young spiders spin a spiralling stabilimentum from the centre of the web and mature spiders usually show four stabilimenta forming a white cross. The function of stabilimenta is not completely known: Argiope spiders like to keep the central position in their orb webs so they can help it masking, on the other hand these reinforced structures can consolidate the web. The evidence of the white cross also works as a signal for birds that are the principal responsible of wrecking and however the eligibility of reflecting light helps attracting insects.