Signature Spider

Description:

Araneidae; Argiope; Argiope luzona (Walckenaer, 1842). This female had already captured a prey insect when I spotted it this morning. Unfortunately, I could not get a good enough photo of the prey to be able to identify it, but it was something small. According to Wikipedia, Argiope spiders are capable of killing and eating prey twice their own size.

Habitat:

This full grown, adult female Signature Spider was spotted on roadside foliage just about 300 metres from my house. I went deliberately to that exact place, knowing that I would have a very good chance of spotting an adult female A. luzona. This species has established a strong presence along that part of the roadside.