Let me begin my article on a positive note.  Most of us have probably noticed this large size spider in the garden or yard.  Maybe you have asked, “Should I be concerned about me or my pet being bitten by a garden spider?”  “Are garden spiders poisonous?”  On the contrary, garden spiders are a beneficial garden inhabitant and are key to keeping insect populations down.

The spider species Argiope aurantia is COMMONLY KNOWN as the yellow garden spider, black and yellow garden spider, golden garden spider, writing spider, zigzag spider, zipper spider, black and yellow Argiope, corn spider, Steeler spider or McKinley. 

I don’t know about you, but for me, it has always been just the garden spider and over the years. I had no clue it had so many other names. Now, after doing a little research I find myself in a bit of a quandary here. We have a spider that over the years has been given multiple names, many including obvious colors, location etc. I get it!  We HAD a scientist, Hippolyte Lucas, who way back in the 1830’s wants to officially name this spider for world recognition and he chooses to describe it’s face? Once again I don’t know about you BUT, if I am a guy, back in the 1830’s, officially describing and naming a NEW spider, wouldn’t you go for the more obvious, name it for its largest most visible aspects, the yellow and black abdomen? As opposed to describing its face as “silver-face gilded.” Who in their right mind is going to get that close! Guess I would not make a good name creating scientist!

ANYWAY, this specie was first described by Hippolyte Lucas in 1833. It has distinctive yellow and black markings on the abdomen and a mostly white cephalothorax. Its Latin name translates to “gilded silver-face” (the genus name Argiope meaning ‘silver-face’, while the specific epithet aurantia means “gilded”.  The body length of males range from (0.20-0.35 inches), females range from (0.75-1.10 inches).  These spiders may bite if disturbed or harassed, but the venom is harmless to non-allergic humans, roughly equivalent to a bumblebee sting in intensity. 

STORY BEHIND PHOTO OF THE WEEK

It’s July 9, 2022 – Saturday morning about 8 a.m. and I have just fed the cats and began in earnest thinking about a topic for the Photo of the Week article.  Sat down at the computer, getting ready to check various archives, AND WHAM! Don’t ask me why, but, I am suddenly thinking about images of this yellow garden spider! I remember taking these photos, actually two different sets of photos!  The first set was a gift. I was walking through the fields, way back in October 10, 2004 leading up to cliff area in Panther Valley and this large spider was in its web in plain view! This must have been a female as it was a good sized spider! The second set was taken on one of my hikes. These demonstrate just how visible this large spider can be, even when walking under a grass canopy!

OK, large spider and very visible, don’t think I have written about spiders and might just make an interesting article.  Think I have my Photo of the Week!

INTERESTING FACTS

We have mentioned the yellow and black colors and size, only female garden spiders have these colors though, along with a white or gray cephalothorax (front part of body).  Males are significantly smaller, with a thinner abdomen and a duller red-brown color.  Like all spider species, garden spiders have eight legs, (in four pairs) and multiple small eyes.  Because of their larger size and bright colors, female garden spiders are noticed much more often than male garden spiders.  Garden spiders have a wide range.  They are native to North America and are found in every US state except Alaska.  Their range also extends to northern Central America and southern Canada.  They prefer to live near sunny, grassy areas that are out of the wind so that they can build their webs.  They typically build their webs on tall plants or low buildings.  This is why they are found so often in gardens! Tall grasses, shrubs, even the eaves of houses are all ideal places for garden spiders to live.  These spiders are active during the day and they can often be found on or near the webs they build.  Not only are garden spiders harmless, they make your garden a more enjoyable place to be. They eat insects, including common pests like mosquitos and wasps.  Garden spiders trap their prey by spinning webs that the insects fly into.  They DON’T chase or hunt their prey!

Garden spiders are known for having large, intricate webs.  The webs can be up to two feet across and are circular in shape.  They have the classic spiral rings and radical lines that most people envision when they picture a spider web. Their webs often have a distinctive zigzag of silk running through the center, known as a stabilimentum. Garden spiders will use the same web for several months, maintaining it as needed each night.  They may build new webs more often if they decide to move location or the web is damaged.

Garden spiders live on average, for one year, although some females can live for several years if they live in areas that don’t have hard frosts.  They typically spend their entire life in one area.

Garden spiders reproduce one to two times a year.  The male garden spider dies immediately after mating and is sometimes eaten by the female.  After mating, the female lays several thousand eggs which she covers in a brown silk.  The eggs hatch in the spring or fall, and the baby garden spiders (vast majority will not survive to adulthood) will either stay in the area or be carried away to new areas in the wind.

Hope you have enjoyed visiting and learning about the Yellow Garden Spider, I believe we can classify this as a beneficial good small neighbor living in our area.

Enjoy Your Open Space  

Charlie Fineran   

Director Open Space   

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman    

Allamuchy Historical Society – President