Argiopes: Argiope boesenbergi and Argiope bruennichii

Arthropoda > Arachnida > Araneae > Araneidae 

Wasp Spider, Argiope bruennichii

The photo shows a wasp spider, a garden spider (Argiope). The wasp spider is so named for the black bands on its yellow abdomen. The cephalothorax is white and overall figure looks elongated. The Japanese name of this spider "naga-kogane-gumo" refers to its shape and color (naga = elongated, kogane = golden, gumo = spider). The white zig-zag strands in the middle can distract the predators and protect the spider.

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Argiope boesenbergi

Here is another garden spider species Argiope boesenbergi, an argiope. The Japanese name "chu-gata kogane-gumo" refers to the size of the spider (chu = medium, gata = size, kogane = golden, gumo = spider).