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Argiope trifasciata (Forsskal, 1775) common names: banded garden/orb weaving spider.
Body length: 15-25 mm (female), 4-6 mm (male)
Family: Araneidae.
This is the largest female “Argiope” species of spider, the male being much smaller than the female.
A large orb web is spun, (I have seen one female spin her web from a tree branch over 4m above ground level, the web was attached down to the ground with various anchor points) the web is strong and very sticky which can easily capture a wide range of large prey insects; including wasps and grasshoppers. Often the prey is captured and paralised with venom injected by the fangs, then contained in a silk sac to be eaten later. Small flies are often seen feeding on the juices of the “prey parcels” attached by a thread of silk inside the web, some flies even settle onto the spider itself without any problems! Obviously too small, as the spider shows no interest in them. (In some of the images below you can see the flies feeding and resting on the spider’s leg).
Widespread in certain areas of Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, Canary Islands, and Madeira. Also over into North America.
Argiope bruennichi a similar species, which is found further North into Europe and can be found in the southern counties of the UK, also but not so common into the midlands.
Argiope trifasciata adults appear late in the summer months from early September into November here in Alicante.
The overwintering eggs are protected within an “kettle shaped” egg sac, attached to vegetation. When spring arrives the eggs hatch and the spiderlings disperse by ballooning, with the aid of wind currents.
Adult males will start to appear in late May, followed shortly by the appearance of adult females.
The spiders will mate in the later months of summer and both sexes have a one-year life cycle. When the colder winter months arrive, the adult spiders will die.
Read MoreBody length: 15-25 mm (female), 4-6 mm (male)
Family: Araneidae.
This is the largest female “Argiope” species of spider, the male being much smaller than the female.
A large orb web is spun, (I have seen one female spin her web from a tree branch over 4m above ground level, the web was attached down to the ground with various anchor points) the web is strong and very sticky which can easily capture a wide range of large prey insects; including wasps and grasshoppers. Often the prey is captured and paralised with venom injected by the fangs, then contained in a silk sac to be eaten later. Small flies are often seen feeding on the juices of the “prey parcels” attached by a thread of silk inside the web, some flies even settle onto the spider itself without any problems! Obviously too small, as the spider shows no interest in them. (In some of the images below you can see the flies feeding and resting on the spider’s leg).
Widespread in certain areas of Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, Canary Islands, and Madeira. Also over into North America.
Argiope bruennichi a similar species, which is found further North into Europe and can be found in the southern counties of the UK, also but not so common into the midlands.
Argiope trifasciata adults appear late in the summer months from early September into November here in Alicante.
The overwintering eggs are protected within an “kettle shaped” egg sac, attached to vegetation. When spring arrives the eggs hatch and the spiderlings disperse by ballooning, with the aid of wind currents.
Adult males will start to appear in late May, followed shortly by the appearance of adult females.
The spiders will mate in the later months of summer and both sexes have a one-year life cycle. When the colder winter months arrive, the adult spiders will die.
