Silver argiope

Argiope argentata

Araneae: Araneidae

This spectacular orb-weaving spider is common in Southern California in the Summer and Fall, especially on prickly-pear plants. The male is much smaller than the female. The spider includes zig-zag structures called stabilimenta in the orb web, probably in order to make it more visible to birds who might otherwise fly into it accidentally and destroy it. Their webs are sometimes occupied by commensal dew-drop spiders.

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