Arachnids of North Carolina
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Argiope aurantia - yellow garden spider     Araneidae Members: NC Records BugGuide Account Public View
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Distribution Records
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Vetting Levels
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

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synonym
taxonomic_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.
id_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.
structural_features
silk_web Large orb web up to two feet in diameter, in low bushes or shrubs, with zig zag stabilimentum in center.
fld_guide_descriptions
online_photos
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.
distribution_reference
technical_reference Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bugguide
adult_id 1 identifiable by photo 2 identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info 3 identifiable from specimen only
abundance Common
distribution_comments Widespread throughout North Carolina and the entire United States.
checklist_mt_high
>=4,000 ft.
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
 Frequency
checklist_mt_low
<4,000 ft.
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
checklist_pd
Piedmont
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
checklist_cp
Coastal Plain
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
habitat garden areas, old field, marshes, wetlands, bogs, lake and pond edges, roadside ditches, human habitations.
observation_methods Visual observation.
state_protection
NHP_ranks
NHP_status
status_comments

Photo Gallery for Argiope aurantia yellow garden spider

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Greene Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp
Wayne Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp
Wayne Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. Stark
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD - All around my house		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rutherford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Sophia Zamora-Katona
Chatham Co.
Comment: Yellow garden spider seen at the entrance of CCCC.		Recorded by: M. McKenney
Stokes Co.
Comment: HARO
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Hyde Co.
Comment: Male
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. ranger residence. Juvenile.
Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick
Alamance Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick
Alamance Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Peifer
Lee Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: T. Lee
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: T. Lee
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Terrell Tucker
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Johnston Co.
Comment: Mature male beaten from Nandina. Ex situ photos & spm. released.
Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales
Beaufort Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA
Recorded by: H. Quay
Orange Co.
Comment: OCMO - One about 50 feet away from the other, by larger pond @ -79.115287, 36.060820		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rockingham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Bladen Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Simpson Eason
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald B. ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: In N corner parking lot, with Argyrodes. In situ photos only
Recorded by: Donald B. ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: In N corner parking lot, with Argyrodes. In situ photos only		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald B. ZEPP
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Brotcke
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: C. Taunton
Wake Co.
Comment: NCMA - Many		Recorded by: Barbara McRae
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: M. Prinz, N. Williamson, E. Conway
Moore Co.
Comment: WEWO - all found within bower's bog. Two found within 2ft of one another
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: Male.		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: Photo of immature; numerous adults seen at same location over several years		Recorded by: L. Purvis
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Z. Lunn
Robeson Co.
Comment: LURI
Recorded by: Hunter Phillips
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Hunter Phillips
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Radewicz
Orange Co.
Comment: ENRI - Immature Yellow Writing Spider @ -79.011748, 36.040343		Recorded by: A. Early
Stanly Co.
Comment: MOMO - Bridle Trail parking lot
Recorded by: K. Bischof
New Hanover Co.
Comment: FOFI - Obs. on the VC. Female.		Recorded by: J. Mickey
Gaston Co.
Comment: CRMO - Restroom area at family campground
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Sanford
Camden Co.
Comment: DISW - On web, eating captured insect @ -76.356295, 36.505439
Recorded by: z.ambrose; j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - spotted by seasonal Zach Ambrose in web on the side of the visitor center		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: A. Elliott
Washington Co.
Comment: PETT		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - egg sac on millpond bridge hand-railing		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - male		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Recorded by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. Phillips
Wake Co.
Comment: WIUM
Recorded by: J.Phillips
Wake Co.
Comment: WIUM		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on beauty berry @ old canoe area
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on beauty berry @ old canoe area		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: M. Gosselin
Dare Co.
Comment: JORI - Along soundside nature trail
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment: In our flower garden
Recorded by: K. Johnson
Rutherford Co.
Comment: CHRO - on door to Discovery Den @ -82.242751, 35.430525		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - web near side door of visitor center
Recorded by: Jason Brown
Wake Co.
Comment: WIUM		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - up high on visitor center
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Halifax Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - small female on web behind visitor center
Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - On side of Visitor Center		Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - beside visitor center
Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - beside visitor center		Recorded by: J. Mickey
Iredell Co.
Comment: LANO - Along Itusi Trail, western section. @ -80.940313, 35.672184
Recorded by: G. Spindle, P. Terry
Harnett Co.
Comment: RARO		Recorded by: B. Fleming
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA - Immature female, photo taken next to old Ranger office @ -76.681073, 34.695359
Recorded by: Joe Mickey
Surry Co.
Comment: PIMO - Along access road near 1st ford going to Yadkin River section of park. @ -80.491118, 36.267840		Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - in front of door at the back of the old canoe bldg. (w/egg sacs)
Recorded by: J.Williams
Vance Co.
Comment: KELA		Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - below visitor center
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. Dinah's Landing.		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - obs at ranger 2's residence. This specimen was living on the back porch of the residence for over 2 weeks until it perished from unknown causes. @ -76.901507, 35.479998
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - obs at ranger 2's residence. This specimen was living on the back porch of the residence for over 2 weeks until it perished from unknown causes. @ -76.901507, 35.479998		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. ranger 2's residence. @ -76.901443, 35.480068
Recorded by: Jessica Williams
Vance Co.
Comment: KELA		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Live Oak Trail
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Live Oak Trail		Recorded by: Salman Abdulali
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: T. Nergart
Rockingham Co.
Comment: HARI		Recorded by: R. Preston
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD
Recorded by: Nicole Crider
Halifax Co.
Comment: MEMO		Recorded by: B. Anderson
Wake Co.
Comment: WIUM - Obs. along powerlines near Big Lake spillway.
Recorded by: Paul Hart
Harnett Co.
Comment: RARO - Seen during butterfly count		Recorded by: Salman Abdulali
Pitt Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: D. Mumford
Wake Co.
Comment: FALA - Spider, web and egg case on Holly Point Entrance Station.		Recorded by: D. Mumford
Wake Co.
Comment: FALA - Spider, web and egg case on Holly Point Entrance Station.
Recorded by: ASH
Moore Co.
Comment: WEWO		Recorded by: Newman, Randy; Newman, Garrett; & Newman, Hunter
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA - Immature female along sound side service road
Recorded by: B. Anderson
Wake Co.
Comment: WIUM - Obs. on back side of Tractor Shed.		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: