Might be a Silver Orb Weaver?
Location: near Savannah, GA
June 14, 2011 2:32 pm
We get a lot of orchard spiders and gold silk orb weavers, but this guy is different. I can’t seem to find clear pictures of a Silver (Argiope argentata) to compare him to. What do you think?
Signature: Red Chloe
Dear Red Chloe,
We are trying unsuccessfully to put a dent in all the identification requests that were sent to us in the past week while we were out of the office. This is an immature Golden Orbweaver, Argiope aurantia, which you may compare to this image posted on BugGuide. The Stabilimentum that this individual has woven into its web is distinctive, though the pattern changes as the spider matures. The Stabilimentum is thought to act as a camouflage for the spider, though its exact purpose is not clearly understood. Many members of the genus Argiope spin a stabilimentum and this has given rise to the common name Writing Spider.
I have two of these exact spiders attached to our hedges.
I am wondering if they are poisonous.
They are not considered dangerous to humans.
Thank you
I have two of these exact spiders attached to our hedges.
I am wondering if they are poisonous.