Argiope appensa

(Walckenaer, 1841)

Vernacular names
English : Hawaiian garden spider
French : Argiope de Hawaii

Classification
Class : Arachnida
Order : Araneae
Family : Araneidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Females can reach a leg-span of 7 cm, males don’t grow above 2 cm. It’s abdomen is star-shaped with yellow coloration, transversal clear bands and dark spots. Cephalothorax silvery-grey with radial markings. Legs black and silvery.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in most Pacific Ocean islands, from Taiwan and Philippines to Indonesia, New Guinea and east to Hawaii. Lives in forests, savannas, woodlands, suburban and urban gardens.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species hasn’t been assessed by IUCN but is thought to be very common in its large range. Population increased on Guam.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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