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Project Noah Nature School
Argiope catenulata
Orb-weavers have eight similar eyes, legs hairy or spiny and no stridulating organs. The Araneidae family is cosmopolitan, including many well-known large or brightly colored garden spiders. There are 3,006 species in 168 genera worldwide, making Araneidae the third largest family of spiders known (behind Salticidae and Linyphiidae).[1] The orb-weavers include over 10,000 species and make up about 25% of spider diversity.[2]
The "typical" orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are the most common group of builders of spiral wheel-shaped webs often found in gardens, fields and forests. Their common name is taken from the round shape of this typical web, and the taxon was formerly also referred to as the Orbiculariae.
This is the second one I've seen here in Albuquerque. We had one living under our sun porch eave back in 2002. She was enormous. We let her be and she survived until the frost came and that unfortunately did her in. She was brought to school by our friends son for a show and tell demonstration.
Spotted on Sep 2, 2012
Submitted on Sep 2, 2012
1 Comment
excellent shot!