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.

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  In California

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  In Jamaica

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  In Galapagos Islands

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

External links

• Picture of Argiope argentata (free for noncommercial use)