Spiderzrule

Here's some photos of Argiopes, mainly from the United States. In Australia, we call our variety St. Andrew's Cross but in the United States they are more commonly called a Black and Yellow Argiope. (Argiope aurantia). We have had so many queries and photos sent in of these from people who have never seen them in their area. It's quite incredible!! They are also known as Golden Garden Spiders or just Garden Spider and their scientific name is Argiope aurantia. New page - Black and yellow argiope laying her eggs courtesy of Joe Hollner. Click here for the page and some great shots!! I also have a couple of fantastic videos sent in by Joe. Video 1 (8,992Kb) Video 2 (16,321Kb)
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St Andrews Cross	Black & Yellow Argiopes	Banded Argiopes
Argiope Lobata	Gea Hepatgon	Silver Argiopes
Argiope Appensa	Argiope Sector

BLACK& YELOW ARGIOPE

The number of emails we've had from people in the United States trying to identify the Black and Yellow Argiope or St Andrew's Cross spider (as we call our Australian variety) is quite astounding!! I've had a lot of questions about where the Argiopes are going to, as some people have noticed that theirs has disappeared. Unfortunately this lovely spider only has a short life span and once she has produced one or more (usually no more than 3) brown, papery egg sacs, she will die. The egg sacs are roughly round in shape and up to 25 mm in diameter; each contains 300 to 1400 eggs. She attaches her egg sacs to one side of her web, close to her resting position at the centre. Each female will watch over her eggs as long as she can, but will die in the first hard frost, if not before. The eggs hatch in Autumn ( fall), but spiderlings stay in the sac during winter and emerge in spring. (Milne and Milne 1980,Heiber 1992, Faulkner 1999). The St Andrew's Cross Spider doesn't have dangerous venom. Its bite causes a mild local pain. There are also other varieties of Argiopes - The Banded Argiope and Silver Argiope being two that have been sent in frequently. There are links to photos of these and other argiopes below as well.
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Reply: Looks like an argiope's egg sac. 7 December, 2010: What is it?
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12 November, 2010: Feel free to post this picture on your site if you'd like. I very much appreciate the information and pictures on your site which helped me to quickly identify the spider. Found in my tomato garden as you can see. --Christine Collierville, Tennessee USA
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3 November, 2010: Hi again I'm sending my most recent pictures of "Spidey" (feel free to use) securing her 4th egg sac on Oct. 6th. The other picture is her yesterday. She is eating a lot and getting big. (again) Is it possible she may be getting ready to produce a 5th egg sac? How often does that happen? Thanks again, Kaye Ely


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Reply: This is a black and yellow argiope - glen 16 October, 2010: Hello, I am trying to find out what kind of spider / web I ran into. It was outside at night and the spider was brown and good size. It had a black abdomen with 3 yellow dots down each side of it. I took a picture and it got agressive when I tried to turn it. Thanks, Cliff
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Reply: Yes this is a black and yellow argiope - glen 12 October, 2010: Hello! Is this a Black and Yellow Argiope? I look like the ones featured on your site. I live in southern california and I've never, ever, seen a spider like that here before!
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12 October, 2010: This one has been on our deck for a couple of months. Just left for parts unknown. Would appreciate knowing it's name. Thanks, Jack, New Bern, NC
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5 October, 2010: "Spidey" has been with us all summer. She has 3 egg sacs and looks like she could lay another one. I'm very sad over the thoughts she won't be with us much longer. The nights are getting colder. I'm sure this is a silly question, but is there any way to bring her indoors? I wouldn't mind giving her a corner of my room and I'm sure the other house spiders wouldn't mind. Feel free to use my pic. Thank you, Kaye p.s. love your website

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5 October, 2010: Any idea what type of spider this is. I found it in a lavender bush outside of Portland, Oregon, USA. Thanks. ---Bill


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5 October, 2010: Hi Glen! I love your website Spiderzrule! It has helped me identify lots of spiders and I feel a lot more comfortable around them now. Here is a picture of a big Black & Yellow Argiope at my home near Denver Colorado. She likes to show off her belly. I don’t see any egg sacs yet so I’m guessing she’ll be doing that soon. She’s really fat. I guess they look scarier than they really are. Please share on your site if you’d like to. Jen
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Reply: They only live during the warmer months and die off after laying their egg sacs when Winter comes, so there's not a lot you can do to extend their life span, sorry - glen 5 October, 2010: Hi, I’ve been watching this spider in my Cana Lillies for weeks and now she has disappeared. Could the cold kill her? It’s been getting down in the 50’s at night. thanks Teena
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Reply: This is a black and yellow argiope - glen 25 September, 2010: Hello, my name is Jeremy and I live in Kentucky, USA. Yesterday, September 22, 2010, I and my mother came across these three spiders and did not know what they were or if they was venomous. If you could, please do the best you can to identify these spiders for us and let us know. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Jeremy
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Reply: This is not at all dangerous to you or your family - glen 24 September, 2010: Please let me know if this spider could be a danger to my family? We live in Northeaster Oklahoma. Thank you.;
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Reply: This is not at all dangerous to you or your family - glen 24 September, 2010: Please let me know if this spider could be a danger to my family? We live in Northeaster Oklahoma. Thank you.;
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24 September, 2010: Hi there! I was hoping you can help me identify this spider? My husband found it on our porch by the porch light. It was quite colorful and very pretty. And had spun a beautiful web. My camera is High definition So I will include photos 2 of the spider. We live in south central Oklahoma.... We would appreciate any help. Dana Thanks Glen! Here’s a couple of better pictures if you’d like to use them on your website. Even though I’m not a spider enthusiast, I have to admit it’s a beauty! Thanks!

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20 September, 2010: Dear Glen, I have no need of identification of our magnificent "house guest", as I have already done the research. However, our 8 yr old daughter and I have come across your website in all it's "magnificent delicacy" and thought you may enjoy sharing some of our pics. She made her home in the outside of our dining room window earlier this month and we've enjoyed documenting her actions everyday and watching her produce her egg sac. Our daughter is going to use "Charlotte 2" as a 4H presentation project. We have many pictures, so here are just a few. Sincerely, Megan and Jessie, Mt. Jackson, VA
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20 September, 2010: Hi Glen, My spiderwebs piece this week is at http://www.bangordailynews.com/topic/95/ browse.html if you are interested or want to link to it, and it has a dozen or so photos of central Maine, USA, spiders and webs you are welcome to grab for spiderzrule.com if you'd like. Cheers, Dana
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10 September, 2010: I suspect very common. Regards, Mike
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10 September, 2010: Hello Glen, Spider found indoors. First photo. Seems a bit small, transparent, and indoors to be a Wolf Spider. I know what the outdoor Wolf Spiders look like. I'm in South Texas just south of San Antonio, in Bexar Co. Very sandy here. Plenty of spiders and other arthropods/insects. Can you use the other photos? Thanks, jsc
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10 September, 2010: Our prolonged dry hot summer has reduced the wild flowers, discouraged the insects and not brought out spiders. Still this grasshopper found one.
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10 September, 2010: If possible, I would like to know what kind it is and if it is poisonous. Thank you for your help.
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10 September, 2010: This was on our azaleas. What is it? Thanks, JoAnn F
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Reply: This is a black and yellow argiope and it is about the time of year when they start laying their egg sacs so she could be! - glen 10 September, 2010: A)Is this Garden spider pregnant? its the largest/ fattest garden spider i've ever seen. B) The tunnel web holds a big black spider, what kind of tunnel spider is this? Thanks Dan and Sarah from North Carolina

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10 September, 2010: Both of these spiders were found outside our house in Manchaca, TX.. The first one looks like he has a star on him. The second one is very unusual I think. If you could help identify them I would appreciate it. We look on your site quite a bit around here. Thanks for having such a great website :) Thank You, Dana
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10 September, 2010: black and yellow argiope?? How is the last word pronounced? This guy (gal) is living in a web on the south side of our home in Mobridge, SD. Thanks for helping w/ the id. -mike-? Click for a larger view
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10 September, 2010: Can you help identify this spider??? Click for a larger view
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27 August, 2010: Hey, I found this spider sitting in the window (out side) of my new apartment. James Click for a larger view

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27 August, 2010: Glen, My husband took this shot of the Black and Yellow Argiope in N.E Georgia about a month ago. I had never seen anything like it before and found your website that immediately helped me identify it. I was so excited to find one in my own backyard today in NC; also relieved that it is harmless. Thanks, I love your website.



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27 August, 2010: Found this guy next to me front door. Can you tell me what it is.?
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27 August, 2010: Here is another shot and this kind of spider they say is everywhere! They say that their eyes glow green at night!!! YUK! My name is Nancy by the way and thanks Glen for helping!
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27 August, 2010: Hey, I found this spider sitting in the window (out side) of my new apartment. James Click for a larger view
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21 August, 2010: I live in Swartz creek, MI. And found this spider in my bushes around the house..... I never saw a spider like this before. Can you tell me what kind this is and if it's anything I should worry about with the kids.... The spider caught a moth in it's web, the kids thought it was cool but I told them to leave it alone. Thanks, Mike M. Click for a larger view

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Reply: This is a black and yellow argiope - glen 21 August, 2010: Hi Glen, A friend of mine snapped a picture of a spider we'd never seen before and we were hoping you'd be able to ID it for us. Thanx, Greg Click for a larger view
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Reply: This is the underside of a black and yellow argiope - glen 14 August, 2010: What is this? Click for a larger view
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8 August, 2010: This pretty critter was outside my window last week. I left her alone. Jim Click for a larger view
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2 August, 2010: I Found this gorgeous Argiope in our backyard in Houston, TX – size is 4-5 inches. Beth Click for a larger view
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2 August, 2010: not sure if this is the way to find out... but I came across this spider in my backyard in florida the photo really does not even do it justice it has spider legs...a head like a salamander...and stingers on the back like a scorpion do you what kind of spider it is? thanks kristy

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1 August, 2010: I do not think the pic went thro.
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1 August, 2010: This fellow was hanging from the Y in GROCERY at a convininece store in central Texas (between Austin and Houston). Any idea what kind it is?
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31 July, 2010: What kind of spider is this, at my house Knoxville Tn Mike
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30 July, 2010: Hi! I've attached a picture of a spider that I found near my house. We have many St Andrew Cross spiders but this one is larger and looks different. I don't want to remove him as long as he/she is not harmful. Thanks for your help! Toni
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5 July, 2010: Hi Glen, Attached are 2 pictures of a spider that made a funny looking web on a palm tree. It was taken in Prairieville, Louisiana. My step son said that he thought it was a banana tree spider but it doesn’t look like any pictures that I have seen of one. Can you tell what it is? I know the pictures aren’t the best. Always a Bon Voyage! Toni
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28 June, 2010: Hello, Pleae help. I have lots of these [see picture attached] in my yard (Jacksonville, Fl.) I've never seen it catch anything but they must as they all are between 3 and 5 inches across. I've never been bothered by this spiders and I notice when the wind is very still they move/pulse their web to simulate windy conditions. What is it? What is the name... should I keep them in the yard or exterminate? Ruth Click for a larger view
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28 June, 2010: southeast georgia outside my home. do you think the small spider is the big one's baby?

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28 June, 2010: Hi Glen, Thought you might like to see another closeup of an argiope. It's the standard yellow and black one. This one was probably over 3" across the legs and is one of the largest I've seen. You're welcome to post it on your website if you'd like. Thanks, John Click for a larger view
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17 June, 2010: Hello Glen, Love your site. It has helped in ID'ing some of the spiders I've photographed. I'm attaching - An argiope having lunch. - A black widow - Maybe a wolf spider. It was really enormous. It was larger than a sparrow. It would have been good to have positioned a ruler or something near the beast, but I wasn't going to get that close to it. - An unknown spider Cheers, George, New Jersey, USA
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17 June, 2010: Hi, Can you help me identify this spider. It appears from what I can see to be most like a fisherman spider but I'm not sure. For reference, I'm located in the Florida panhandle, about 1200 feet from water, though have a pool. the spider was in bright sunlight on the pool enclosure. Thanks Mike
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10 June, 2010: Please identify this spider for me. I found it at the foot of my front door porch last summer. I live in southwest Nebraska, USA. Thanks, Dave
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9 June, 2010: Let me first tell you that I have always said that I hate spiders.... however, I cannot help taking pictures of the ones I find interesting. THIS one was super fun to look at, and I love the palm tree looking shape in the web!! So maybe, after thinking about it, I don't so much hate spiders... Thanks! ~Deb
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7 February, 2010: What kind of spiders are these, Glen? Hope you can use these pics for your website. MC

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