Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Argiope aurantia - yellow garden spider

Argiope aurantiaArgiope aurantiaArgiope aurantiaArgiope aurantia
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Comments: The genus name Argiope means "silver-face", while the specific epithet aurantia means "gilded"
Species Comment: This widely distributed and easily noticed spider has acquired many colloquial names, including: banded garden spider, writing spider, black-and-yellow argiope, black and yellow garden spider, yellow garden orbweaver, corn spider, black & yellow argiope, zipper spider, McKinley spider, banana spider, Steeler spider, and, in California, the golden orbweaver.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bugguide
Comments: Abdomen long oval, with series of yellowish or pale spots on a black abdomen. The cephalothorax is covered with reflective white hairs. The legs have femora that are pale orange at the base and darker, often black at the tips. There are two humps at the front of the abdomen that may be inconspicuous if well-fed females. Some growing females with thin abdomens are paler. On the underside of the abdomen there are two light lines with a dark area in the center that has four to six small white spots. Juvenile females are silver. The males are tiny and usually pale or orange.
Total Length: Large Spider, Female total body length 14-25mm, Male total body length 5-6 mm.Adult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Widespread throughout North Carolina and the entire United States.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Argiope aurantia
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: garden areas, old field, marshes, wetlands, bogs, lake and pond edges, roadside ditches, human habitations.
Observation Methods: Visual observation.
Abundance/Frequency: Common
Silk / Web: Large orb web up to two feet in diameter, in low bushes or shrubs, with zig zag stabilimentum in center.
Prey: Small to large flying insects including flies, moths, mosquitoes, beetles and katydids.
Predators: The large egg sacs can be parasitized by wasps.
Behavior: Diurnal. The legs are held in pairs in web, web of adult females have a conspicuous vertical zigzag stabilimentum extending above and below the hub where the spider rests. Young females build a wider platform of stabilimentum, sometimes circular in shape. Egg sacs laid in summer are large, round and made of brown silk, can be parasitized by wasps. Prey items include medium to large flying insects such as flies, bees, grasshoppers, cicadas, katydids, butterflies and beetles. Visual surveys. In a nightly ritual, the spider consumes the circular interior part of the web and then rebuilds it each morning with fresh new silk. The radial framework and anchoring lines are not usually replaced when the spider rebuilds the web. The spider may be recycling the chemicals used in web building. Additionally, the fine threads that she consumes appear to have tiny particles of what may be minuscule insects and organic matter that may contain nutrition. Argiope spiders are not aggressive. They might bite if grabbed, but other than for defense they do not attack large animals. Their venom often contains a library of polyamine toxins with potential as therapeutic medicinal agents. Notable among these is the argiotoxin ArgTX-636. A bite by Argiope aurantia is comparable to a bee sting with redness and swelling. For a healthy adult, a bite is not considered an issue. Though they are not aggressive spiders, the very young, elderly, and those with compromised immune systems should exercise caution, just as they would around a beehive or a hornet nest.

Yellow garden spiders breed twice a year. The males roam in search of a female, building a small web near or actually in the female's web, then court the females by plucking strands on her web. Often, when the male approaches the female, he has a safety drop line ready, in case she attacks him. The male uses the palpal bulbs on his pedipalps to transfer sperm to the female. After inserting the second palpal bulb, the male dies, and is sometimes then eaten by the female. She lays her eggs at night on a sheet of silky material, then covers them with another layer of silk, then a protective brownish silk. She then uses her legs to form the sheet into a ball with an upturned neck. Egg sacs range from 5/8" to 1" in diameter. She often suspends the egg sac right on her web, near the center where she spends most of her time. Each spider produces from one to four sacs with perhaps over a thousand eggs inside each. She guards the eggs against predation as long as she is able. However, as the weather cools, she becomes more frail, and dies around the time of the first hard frost. In the spring, the young spiders exit the sac. They are so tiny that they look like dust gathered inside the silk mesh. Some of the spiderlings remain nearby, but others exude a strand of silk that gets caught by the breeze, carrying the spiderling to a more distant area. Females can oscillate her web vigorously while she remains firmly attached in the center. This action might prevent predators like wasps and birds from drawing a good bead, and also to fully entangle an insect before it cuts itself loose. Recent studies have shown that the stabilimentum silk holds and traps ultraviolet light and can essentially draw insect prey in like a bug zapper. Web size can be as large as two feet in diameter.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Argiope aurantia - yellow garden spider

Photos: 154

Recorded by: Stephanie Willis on 2025-10-09
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-06
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Sanford on 2025-08-22
Bertie Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-08-04
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Conlan Whisnant on 2025-08-03
McDowell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Steve Hall on 2025-08-03
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Steve Hall on 2025-08-03
Richmond Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2025-07-30
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-22
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ron Smidt on 2025-07-21
Iredell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jason Bauder on 2025-07-13
Hoke Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jason Bauder on 2025-07-13
Hoke Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jason Bauder on 2025-07-13
Hoke Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Drew Garrett on 2025-07-07
Randolph Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2025-06-30
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-26
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2025-06-11
Edgecombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.Buie on 2025-06-11
Stokes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-03
Currituck Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-03
Currituck Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-02
Currituck Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-05-31
Currituck Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-11-06
Richmond Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-20
Columbus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-20
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-21
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-08-22
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-21
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-17
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-17
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-17
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-12
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-19
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-17
Greene Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-05-31
Wayne Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-05-31
Wayne Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2023-10-10
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-28
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-28
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. Stark on 2023-09-23
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-09-14
Rutherford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Sophia Zamora-Katona on 2023-09-07
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: M. McKenney on 2023-08-23
Stokes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-27
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-07-12
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick on 2022-10-16
Alamance Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick on 2022-10-16
Alamance Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Peifer on 2022-09-25
Lee Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-09-14
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2022-09-14
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: T. Lee on 2022-08-31
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: T. Lee on 2022-08-31
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2022-08-22
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George on 2022-08-22
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-08-06
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther on 2022-06-10
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2021-10-12
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-10-01
Beaufort Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-09-18
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: H. Quay on 2021-08-20
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-08-19
Rockingham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther on 2020-11-06
Bladen Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2020-10-10
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2020-10-03
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald B. ZEPP on 2020-10-03
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald B. ZEPP on 2020-10-03
Johnston Co.
Comment: This lady has a "house cleaner," the a kleptoparasitic theridiid Argyrodes elevatus, who consumes her host's too-small prey.		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther on 2020-10-02
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald B. ZEPP on 2020-09-22
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2020-09-18
Sampson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Paul Brotcke on 2020-09-05
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: C. Taunton on 2020-09-05
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Barbara McRae on 2020-08-22
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-08-16
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: M. Prinz, N. Williamson, E. Conway on 2020-08-12
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2020-08-11
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2020-07-23
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann on 2020-05-06
Craven Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: L. Purvis on 2019-09-30
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2019-08-20
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Z. Lunn on 2019-08-13
Robeson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Hunter Phillips on 2019-07-09
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Hunter Phillips on 2019-07-09
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Radewicz on 2019-06-05
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: A. Early on 2018-10-18
Stanly Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2018-09-06
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. Mickey on 2018-08-03
Gaston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2018-07-30
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Sanford on 2018-07-26
Camden Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: z.ambrose; j.wyche on 2017-09-17
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2017-08-26
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: A. Elliott on 2017-07-24
Washington Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-06-29
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche on 2016-09-22
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2016-08-15
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche on 2016-07-12
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche on 2016-07-11
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2015-06-25
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. Phillips on 2015-03-27
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.Phillips on 2014-10-23
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche on 2014-10-14
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche on 2014-10-14
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2014-09-16
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2014-09-16
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: M. Gosselin on 2014-08-18
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-06-04
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2013-09-27
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Johnson on 2013-09-12
Rutherford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche on 2013-09-03
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jason Brown on 2013-08-23
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche on 2013-08-22
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2013-06-15
Halifax Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche on 2013-06-11
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. Wyche on 2012-10-01
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. Wyche on 2012-09-13
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. Wyche on 2012-09-13
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. Mickey on 2012-09-11
Iredell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: G. Spindle, P. Terry on 2012-08-04
Harnett Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Fleming on 2012-05-20
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Joe Mickey on 2011-09-18
Surry Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jane Wyche on 2011-08-23
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.Williams on 2011-08-23
Vance Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jane Wyche on 2011-07-15
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2011-07-03
Beaufort Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2010-10-09
Beaufort Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2010-10-09
Beaufort Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2010-08-15
Beaufort Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jessica Williams on 2009-09-24
Vance Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2009-08-30
Beaufort Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2009-08-30
Beaufort Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Salman Abdulali on 2009-08-23
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: T. Nergart on 2008-08-29
Rockingham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Preston on 2008-08-22
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Nicole Crider on 2008-08-02
Halifax Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Anderson on 2007-09-26
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Hart on 2007-08-21
Harnett Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Salman Abdulali on 2007-08-10
Pitt Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: D. Mumford on 2006-08-16
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: D. Mumford on 2006-08-16
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: ASH on 2006-08-14
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy; Newman, Garrett; & Newman, Hunter on 2006-06-24
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Anderson on 2005-08-09
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2003-00-00
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2002-03-07
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 1985-09-00
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall on 1985-09-00
Orange Co.
Comment: