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Spider Gallery

Orb-weaver Spider - large

order Araneae - infraorder Araneomorphae (true spiders) - family Araneidae

Black-and-Yellow Argiope Argiope aurantia

This was a very big spider, about 1 1/2" body.  She did not like me standing so close so shook its body making half the photos blurry.

The male rarely grow over 3/8" long, he is black and yellow also and will build a small web next to hers.  Orb-weavers have 3 claws per foot, most spiders only have two.  These spiders have venom but it is not dangerous to humans.  These spiders live until the first frost.  Babies become dormant inside the egg sack to over winter and emerge in the spring; they look like tiny adults.

Photos taken in Taylor County, November 2005

Black-and-Yellow Argiope Argiope aurantia

Spider with nice zipper, photos taken outside Merced, California, by Betty White, August 1971

Banded Argiope Argiope trifasciata

Very similar to Argiope aurantia except for the abdominal stripes.  Body about 1" long.

Photos taken in Taylor County, November 2005, October 2007

Variation

Banded Argiope Argiope trifasciata

Legs and all only 1/2" long.  This is a color variation  She does not have the typical cross bands on her back.

Photos taken in Taylor County, November 2005, July 2009

Yellow Garden Spider Argiope aurantia

1" long body.  This may be a young Black-and-Yellow Argiope, but I don't see the golden legs.

Photos taken outside Merced, California, by Betty White, September 1972

probably  Araneidae - Orb-weaver Family

? Common Name **zk 6** Scientific Name

3/8"-1/2" long body.

Photos taken in Taylor County, September 2004

(no common name, but we call it a "summer spider") Neoscona crucifera

Strange this large common spider, 3/4" long body, has no common name.  This is a very plain variation.  They usually have makings on the top of the abdomen.

The female builds a large vertical web at night and takes it down at dawn.  Wet years they are prolific, making nighttime walking interesting.  Drought years they are absent.  In late summer, they occasionally will stay out all day.

Photos taken in Taylor County, October 2005, September 2007

(no common name, but we call it a "summer spider") Neoscona crucifera

3/8" body.  I think this is the same as the previous spider, only not quite mature.

Photos taken in Taylor County, August 2007

probably  Araneidae - Orb-weaver Family

? Common Name **zk 7** Scientific Name

Adult 1/2" body.  This may be another Neoscona crucifera.

The spaces of the large web were filled in with tiny webs with a little red spider baby in the center of each.

Photos taken in Coleman County, September 2005

probably  Araneidae - Orb-weaver Family

? Common Name **zk 8** Scientific Name

3/8" body.  This may be another Neoscona crucifera.

Photos taken in Taylor County, September 2006