Explanation of Names
Latin: "three-banded", from tres- "three" + fasciatus- "enveloped in bands, swathed"
Size
Body length 15-25 mm (female), 4-6 mm (male)
Identification
Pale yellow, carapace has silver hairs, abdomen is striped in silver, yellow, and black. Abdomen is more rounded (tapered rearward) than in Argiope aurantia, does not have notches and humps as in that species. Legs are spotted. Stabilimentum of web is similar to that of Argiope aurantia, but less prominent.
Female:
Range
Widespread in United States
Habitat
Open areas, old fields, etc. with tall grass. Webs tend to be more hidden than those of aurantia, and the preferred habitat is said to be drier.
Life Cycle
Egg sac may contain more than 1000 eggs. It is about 18 mm in diamter and is shaped like a cup or a kettledrum, not spherical, as is that of Argiope aurantia.
Print References
Kaston, p. 139, fig. 346
(1)
Marshall and Edwards, pp. 40-41, color photo
(2)
Jackman, p. 76, plate P10
(3)Internet References
Argiope Todd A. Blackledge--Cornell University
Fact sheet from Penn State
