Silver Argiope (Argiope argentata) spider
Here is another shot of the Silver Argiope aka Silver Garden Spider (Argiope argentata, Araneidae) spider the woods today. I was worried at first because she wasn't sitting in her web where she usually is, but I found her hanging from a perch off to the side. She always seems to be hanging with her underside exposed (like this), so this is actually the best photo of her upper side that I have. The common name of this spider comes from the white/silver part on the spider's top side, but a better characteristic for identification is their remarkable "horns" around the abdomen which gives them a cartoon look. What beautiful spiders they are! Arachtober 24. (San Marcos Pass, 24 October 2017)
Silver Argiope (Argiope argentata) spider
Here is another shot of the Silver Argiope aka Silver Garden Spider (Argiope argentata, Araneidae) spider the woods today. I was worried at first because she wasn't sitting in her web where she usually is, but I found her hanging from a perch off to the side. She always seems to be hanging with her underside exposed (like this), so this is actually the best photo of her upper side that I have. The common name of this spider comes from the white/silver part on the spider's top side, but a better characteristic for identification is their remarkable "horns" around the abdomen which gives them a cartoon look. What beautiful spiders they are! Arachtober 24. (San Marcos Pass, 24 October 2017)