Signature Spider (sub-adult male)

Description:

In the Philippines, we are now pretty much at the peak of the dry season and many insects and spiders are retreating into shaded areas to find some relief from the sun. This spider was spotted deep in undergrowth, in the shade of a tall Spiny Bamboo and a Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina). I can safely call this Argiope luzona a male, because its cephalothorax is slightly wider than its abdomen (a female, of this size, would have a much smaller cephalothorax and the coloured stripes would be showing on her abdomen). This male can also be identified as a sub-adult because his discoid stabilimentum can be seen at the hub of his web. However, he looks to be just on the point of adulthood and might, soon, leave his shaded spot to go and find a mate.

Habitat:

This spider was spotted in our backyard, deep inside a small remnant of tropical forest. Its web was suspended on a Tropical Whiteweed (Ageratum conyzoides Linn.) known as Bulak-manok, throughout much of the Philippines, but called Salunay, in our local dialect.

Notes:

The first three photos, obvously, show the spider as best I could in the rather gloomy undergrowth. The last one shows the habitat, particularly the Tropical Whiteweed, which has many dry and withered leaves while its flowers are still trying to bloom. Survival at work.