Signature Spider with Prey

Description:

This Argiope luzona has been on its web in our backyard for 2 or 3 weeks, but it has just been getting on with its life rather quietly, in its little corner among some flower pots, and has not attracted my attention very much until today. I was just strolling round the backyard, checking on all my Argiopes and when I came to this one, I immediately saw that it had captured a prey which was almost as big as itself. I could see that the prey was a Short-horned Grasshopper and took some photos. Since the prey was not yet completely wrapped in silk, I had hopes of being able to identify it from my photos. However, the best identification that I can give is Unidentified Acrididae.

Habitat:

This Argiope luzona was spotted in our backyard, It was on its web which was moored on the stems of some pot plants.

Notes:

The third photo above shows the tremendous damage done to the spider's web. The initial impact of the Grasshopper would have done some of the damage and the violent life-and-death struggle would have made it worse. If you zoom in and look to the left of the spider, you will see the destruction.