Black and yellow garden spider

Description:

Yellow Garden Spiders are from the Argiope genus and a local throughout the United States of America. Commonly found throughout garden areas and woodlands, the spider is easily identifiable by the distinctive yellow and black coloring found on the abdomen. The legs are equally noticeable by the alternating bands of orange and black on the legs, though this pattern may vary from spider to spider. Females measure in larger than the males, coming in between 19mm to 28mm whilst males are roughly between 5mm and 8mm. Besides being smaller, males do not promote their colors as such, and might appear a shade or two paler in the process.

Habitat:

Native plant school garden.

Notes:

Stabilimentum (reinforced area) in web makes a vertical zigzag band above and below the middle of the web. Juveniles make a circular stabilimentum in the center of the web. Black and yellow garden spiders hang upside down from the center of their webs while waiting for prey to approach. Webs are attached to branches, bushes and tall grass in order to remain stable. Black and yellow garden spiders weave their webs in open, visible locations, allowing for easy capture of flying prey.