Arachnid · GBIF taxon 5171022
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantiaAlso known as Black and Yellow Garden Spider, Writing Spider, Golden Garden Spider, Zipper Spider
Yellow garden spiders spin impressive vertical orb webs spanning up to 60 centimeters across in sunny gardens, fields, and meadows. At the center of the web sits a prominent zigzag silk pattern called a stabilimentum, which helps camouflage the spider and deters birds from destroying the structure. When threatened, females rapidly flex their legs to vibrate the entire web, obscuring their outline and warning off potential predators.
Orb WeaverDiurnalBeneficial Predator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasshoppers
- Bees
- Flies
Predators
- Birds
- Lizards
- Mud dauber wasps
ThreatsPesticide application, severe habitat clearing, vehicle impacts
HabitatsGardens, tall meadows, agricultural fields, shrubby edges
Life span1 year
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAraneae
- FamilyAraneidae
- GenusArgiope
- SpeciesArgiope aurantia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to people; a rare defensive bite is no worse than a bee sting.
Responsible observation
- Observe the Web: Look for the distinctive vertical zigzag silk strip, or stabilimentum, running through the center.
- Give Space: Avoid touching the central hub or shaking support strands to prevent triggering a defensive web flex or drop.
Ecological Competitor (c) Nora Jácome, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator (c) Nathan Odgers, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Dick Culbert, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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