Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
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photo © Julie Carson, University of Florida, female
Size- Males; 1/4-3/8", Females; 1"
Identifiers- oval black abdomen mottled white and yellow
- yellow/orange legs tipped in black
Adaptations- three claws per foot, orb weaver
Status- found throughout Florida
Distribution- southern Canada, U.S.A.
Habitat- meadows, gardens
Reproduction- male builds small web near female
- 1to 3 papery egg sacs (300-1400 eggs ea.) attached to female's web
Diet- small insects
Fun facts
- female can capture prey up to 2 times her own size
- often hold legs together in pairs (looks like 4 legs) to fool prey
- important predators of grasshoppers in rangeland ecosystems
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