Insect Order (Araneae)
ARANEAE (SPIDERS)
Araneae, comprising spiders, are one of the most intimidating orders of insects to the casual observer. This predatory group is made up of roughly 3,400 species in the United States and Canada. Some are webspinners while others are not, and some are completely harmless (and beneficial) while others are not. Classic examples of spiders include garden-loving Orb Weavers, the common House Spider, the identifiable Black Widow, the mighty Wolf Spider, and the venomous Brown Recluse. Eight legs typically differentiate Araneae insects from other orders.
Taxonomy
Other Names: "Black and Yellow Argiope; Common Garden Spider; Yellow Garden Spider"
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Argiope aurantia.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Argiope
Species: aurantia
Characteristics
Abdomen: Has a noticeably large / oversized abdomen.
Helpful: Known for its generally helpful-to-human qualities.
Eight-Legged: Eight legs are common to this insect.
Small / Tiny: Noticeably small to the naked eye.
Striped / Banded: Noticeable stripes or banding pattern.
Webspinner: Known to spin its own web; resides in a web.
Description
The Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope) is also known by these other names:
Black and Yellow Argiope :: Common Garden Spider :: Yellow Garden Spider
The Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope) has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
small large webspinner garden helpful eight-legged black yellow pattern abdomen beige tan white stripes striped banded
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope). Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
0.20 inches
(5 mm)
Highest-High:
1.10 inches
(28 mm)
Diet
It has a typical diet of the following: Garden Insects.
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope). Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope) can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope) Picture (1)
1 of 1
Image of an adult Black and Yellow Argiope Spider resting in its web.; Credit: Arch B. of Georgia.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.
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