Silver Agriope

Description:

Argiope argentata is found from southern California to Florida extending down as far as Argentina, though preferring to stay in warmer, dryer areas. They can often be found on prickly pears in the fall.The male is much smaller than the female. The spider includes zig-zag structures called stabilimenta in the orb web, probably in order to make it more visible to birds who might otherwise fly into it accidentally and destroy it.

Habitat:

Garden orb weavers rebuild their webs each morning in their typical habitat, field edges, open woods and gardens.

Notes:

Female silver agriope at zoo Miami on bushes around tapir exhibit.