Features and habitat of argiope
The Argiope Brünnich spider belongs to the araneomorphic species. This is a rather large insect, males are smaller than females. The body of an adult female can reach from 3 to 6 centimeters, although there are larger exceptions.
Argiope males , on the contrary, are small in size - no more than 5 millimeters; in addition, the narrow little body of the boy is usually painted in a nondescript monochromatic gray or black color with a light belly and two dark stripes on it located along the sides. On light legs there are faint, vague rings of a dark shade. The pedipalps crown the male genital organs, otherwise called bulbs.
The photo shows a male Argiope spider
The female differs not only in size, but also in general appearance. The female Argiope is black and yellow striped, with a black head, and has small light hairs on its rounded-oblong body. If you count starting from the cephalothorax, then the 4th stripe differs from the others by two small tubercles in the middle.
Some scientists describe the legs of females as long, thin, black with beige or light yellow rings, others believe the opposite: the legs of the spider are light, and the ringing stripes are black. The span of the limbs can reach 10 centimeters. In total, the spider has 6 pairs of limbs: 4 pairs are considered legs and 2 are considered jaws.
The photo shows a female Argiope spider
The pedipalps are quite short, more like tentacles. It is because of the combination of black and yellow colors, expressed in stripes on both the body and legs, that Argiope is called the “wasp spider” . The beautiful color of the spider also helps it not to become dinner for birds, because in the animal world, bright colors indicate the presence of strong poison.
Another fairly common variety is argiope lobata, or otherwise - argiope lobata . The spider received its first name because of the unusual shape of its body - its flat belly is crowned with sharp teeth along the edges. Argiope lobata in the photo resembles a small squash with long thin legs.
The photo shows the spider Argiope lobata (lobed agriope)
Representatives of the species are widespread throughout the world. They are found in Africa, Europe, Asia Minor and Central Asia, in most regions of the Russian Federation, Japan, and China. The preferred place of life is meadows, forest edges, and any other well-lit places.
The question is often asked “ is the Argiope spider poisonous or not ,” the answer to which is definitely yes. Like most spiders, argiope is poisonous , but it poses absolutely no danger to humans - its poison is too weak. The insect does not express aggressiveness towards people; only a female Argiope bite and only if you pick her up.
However, despite the weakness of the venom, the bite itself can cause pain, as the stings penetrate deep into the skin. The bite site almost immediately turns red, swells slightly, and becomes numb.
The pain subsides only after a couple of hours, but swelling from an argiope spider bite can last for several days. Only people with allergies to this kind of bites should be seriously afraid. Argiope thrives in captivity, which is why (and because of its spectacular color) representatives of the species can often be seen in terrariums.
Danger
The venom of the wasp spider is deadly to insects, but practically harmless to humans. At the same time, argiope bruennichi does not purposefully attack people. This insect can only bite accidentally if it is disturbed by picking it up. The affected area may experience:
- slight swelling;
- redness;
- burning;
- pain.
But these symptoms often go away very quickly. If after a wasp spider bite you begin to experience discomfort, then apply something cold to the affected area to speed up healing. After such a compress, the pain subsides and the swelling goes away.
In general, the venom of the wasp spider is quite weak for humans. However, sometimes, in particular with weak immunity, the body’s negative reaction can be quite intense. In such cases, anti-inflammatory ointments usually help. The poison of argiope bruennichi can be dangerous for humans only if there is an allergy to insect bites. In this situation, you should definitely seek qualified medical help.
(Latin name "Argiope lobata Pall") is a large genus of spiders belonging to the family of Orb-weaving spiders.
What does it look like
Argiope is a fairly large spider. The average body length of an adult female is 3 centimeters, but larger specimens are also found. Males are much smaller in size - on average, body length does not exceed five millimeters. The female Argiope is quite easy to recognize by her bright coloring. The head is black in color, the cephalothorax is covered with thick ash-colored hairs, the abdomen is striped (bright yellow and black stripes alternate). The females' legs are very long and black with pale yellow rings. Due to the presence of stripes, female Argiopes have been called "zebra spiders". Males do not have such bright colors; their bodies are either black or gray.
Lifestyle
Argiope live in small colonies, the number of which does not exceed 20 individuals. Spiders prefer to settle in forests, fields and meadows where there is a lot of vegetation. They stretch their networks between several plants, attaching the main threads to the stems. Argiope's catching webs are distinguished by very small cells and incredibly beautiful patterns (like many other orb-weaving spiders). The spider spends all the time sitting in the center on its lower side. Argiope mainly hunts, and, but does not refuse other insects caught in the net. Spiders paralyze their prey in a matter of seconds with poison, wrap them in cobwebs, and then just as quickly eat them.
Where does he live?
Argiope spiders inhabit southern and central Europe. In total, scientists identify over 150 species (from the genus Argiope), which are found in almost all corners of the planet, excluding the polar zones. Only a few species can be found in the European part of Eurasia.
Danger!!!
Argiope spiders do not pose a great danger to humans, since their venom is quite weak. Only the female of this spider can bite a person, and only if you pick her up. The bite itself is quite painful, since the spider inserts its stinging organs very deeply under the skin. A few seconds after the bite, the area around the wound begins to redden and swell, and a feeling of numbness appears. After a few hours, the pain begins to subside, and the swelling goes away after two to three days. Argiope bites are a real danger only for people who are allergic to insect bites.
Although this creature is cute, it inspires inner anxiety. Some kind of unreasonable fear. It is especially creepy to watch how a spider with yellow stripes, also called a wasp, deals with defenseless grasshoppers and flies. He sets out a trapping net, sits half asleep, and waits. But as soon as the careless insect comes into view, it immediately transforms - it quickly pounces, paralyzes the victim with poison and deftly packs its “lunch” into a cocoon of cobwebs. Is it dangerous for humans?
At first glance, a very cute spider... until you find out that it is poisonous
The character and lifestyle of agriope
Representatives of the species Argiope brunnich usually gather in small colonies (no more than 20 individuals) and lead a terrestrial lifestyle. The net is secured between several stems or blades of grass.
In the photo the spider Argiope bruennicha
Argiope is an orb -weaving spider. His networks are distinguished by a very beautiful, even pattern and small cells. Having placed its trap, the spider sits comfortably in its lower part and waits patiently for the prey to come into its possession.
If the spider senses danger, it will immediately leave the trap and descend to the ground. There, the argiope is located belly up, hiding the cephalothorax if possible. However, in some cases, the spider may try to ward off danger by starting to swing its web. Thick threads of the stabilimentum reflect light, which merges into a bright spot of unknown origin to the enemy.
Argiope has a calm character; when you see this spider in the wild, you can examine it at a fairly close distance and photograph it; it is not afraid of humans. During morning and evening twilight, as well as at night, when it is cool outside, the spider becomes lethargic and inactive.
Enemies of the striped wasp spider
The varied colors of arthropods have their own meaning and purpose. For example, crosses have light white dots in the shape of a cross on their backs. This pattern scares away the spider's enemies.
Nature painted Argiope spiders with yellow and black stripes, making them look like wasps and hornets, to protect this genus of arthropods from birds. Feathered predators cannot stand them.
The Argiopes live in peace and harmony with their relatives. Striped spiders settle away from garden plots, vine terraces and flower plantings. They cannot tolerate the sweetish aromas of grapes and fragrant flowers.
The sticky web, as well as the collective way of existence, reliably protects them from ants, centipedes and other predatory insects. However, Argiope Brünnich has natural enemies. These are the representatives:
- rodents;
- lizards;
- frogs.
Wasps and bees caught in spider webs also pose a threat to the striped predator. The one who stings the enemy first will survive the fight.
Agryope nutrition
Most often, grasshoppers, flies, and mosquitoes become victims of webs located a short distance from the ground. However, no matter what insect falls into the trap, the spider will happily feast on it. As soon as the victim touches the silk threads and sticks securely to them, the argiope approaches it and uses poison. After its impact, the insect stops resisting, the spider calmly wraps it in a dense cocoon of web and immediately eats it.
The Argiope lobata spider sets traps most of the time in the evening. The whole process takes him about an hour. The result is a fairly large round web, in the center of which there is a stabilimentum (a zigzag pattern that consists of clearly visible threads).
This is a distinctive feature of almost all orb weavers, but Argiope stands out here too - its network is decorated for stabilimentum. They start in the center of the trap and spread out to its edges.
Having finished its work, the spider takes its place in the center, arranging its limbs in its characteristic way - two left and two right front legs, as well as two left and two right hind legs, so close that from a distance one can mistake the insect for the letter X hanging on the web. The food of Argiope bruenich are orthopteran insects, but the spider does not disdain any others.
The photo shows an argiope web with stabilimentums
The pronounced zigzag-shaped stabilimentum reflects ultraviolet light, thereby trapping the spider's victims. The meal itself often takes place on the ground, where the spider descends, leaving the web, in order to feast on it in a secluded place, without unnecessary observers.
How does a striped spider hunt?
Argiope Brünnich never attacks prey from hiding. She is in the center of events, in the most visible place - in the middle of the spider web. Ultraviolet rays reflected by the web make the stripes on the back, sides and legs of the tiger spider even brighter.
This openness does not prevent the spider from hunting. On the contrary, it only adds color to the overall picture. Most insects, when migrating, are drawn to the light, so they certainly “look at the light” into the glowing spider house, where a completely inhospitable owner is patiently waiting for it.
Having twisted the prey with spider threads, the striped predator plunges its jaws into it, injecting a paralyzing poison that turns the insect tissue into a liquefied substance. The tiger spider then sucks out all the juices from the victim, of which only a dry shell remains. The menu of the Argiope spider, in addition to crickets, mosquitoes, flies and other small creatures, also includes medium-sized flying beetles.
On a note. Argiope Brünnich "packs" its prey into a web bag with amazing speed. Hand luggage packers at airport terminals can envy such speed and quality. A few moments - and the gaping, immobilized victim humbly awaits his unenviable fate in the tenacious nets of a hunter with a yellow-black belly.
Reproduction and lifespan of agriope
As soon as the molting takes place, which marks the female’s readiness to mate, this action occurs, since the female’s chelicerae still remain soft for some time. The male knows in advance exactly when this will happen, because he can wait for a long time for the right moment, hiding somewhere on the edge of the female’s large web.
After copulation, the female immediately eats her partner. There have been cases when the male managed to escape from the cocoon of the web that the female weaves by running away, however, the next mating will most likely become fatal for the lucky one.
This is due to the presence in males of only two limbs, which play the role of copulation organs. After mating, one of these limbs falls off, however, if the spider manages to escape, one more remains.
Before laying, the expectant mother weaves a dense large cocoon and places it near the trapping net. It is there that she subsequently lays all her eggs, and their number can reach several hundred pieces. Staying nearby all the time, the female carefully guards the cocoon.
But, with the approach of cold weather, the female dies, the cocoon exists unchanged all winter, and only in the spring do the spiderlings come out, settling in different places. As a rule, to do this they move through the air using webs. The entire life cycle of Argiope bronychis lasts 1 year.
Lifestyle
Representatives of this species prefer to live in small groups of 20 individuals each. They live in fields and meadows, in forest areas, as well as in other places with dense vegetation. At the same time, they choose open areas that are well translucent and warmed by the sun's rays.
To build a web, these insects choose a large spreading plant or build it between several bushes. It takes a spider about an hour to make one trapping net, and the construction process itself always occurs at dusk. The central part of the web consists of a stabilimentum - a pair of clearly visible threads located opposite each other, which diverge from the middle.
The finished fishing net is very beautiful - it has small cells arranged in a zigzag pattern. And at its center there is always a wasp-like spider. The mistress sits on the underside of the web, spreading her long legs wide apart, and patiently waits for the next victim to fall into the trap.
Nutrition
The basis of the wasp spider's diet consists of insects, both orthoptera and others. Most often, the following networks fall into the placed networks:
- grasshoppers;
- flies;
- mosquitoes;
- butterflies;
- fillies;
The victim caught in the web begins to twitch, which attracts a hunter located nearby. The spider immediately approaches, plunges its jaws into the body of the prey and paralyzes the caught insect with poison. As soon as the prey freezes, the hunter deftly wraps it in a web, bites off the restraining threads and hides it in a secluded place.
After some time, the poison, which contains digestive enzymes, softens the victim’s body, after which the spider begins to eat.
Reproduction
The female becomes sexually mature immediately after molting. She sheds her old chitinous cover and allows the male to fertilize her, after which she eats him.
A female spider with a color like a wasp lays eggs about a month after mating. She weaves several cocoons from the web and places approximately 400 eggs in each. She hangs all the cocoons near her fishing net and soon dies.
Future offspring spend the entire winter in a dense, warm cocoon. With the arrival of warmth, the young emerge from the eggs and spend some time in close proximity to the cocoon. During this period, many spiderlings die and there is only one reason for this - overpopulation of the territory, due to which there is not enough food for everyone. Thus, some packs die due to hunger, others are eaten by their own brothers.
The survivors leave their homes around August. In windy weather, they scatter around the surrounding area using their web. In the fall, the young reach sexual maturity.
