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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynae » Orb Weavers (Araneidae) » Garden Orbweavers (Argiope) » Argiope blanda

Photo#1470164

Copyright © 2017 tfandre

Orbweaver - Argiope blanda

McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas, USA
October 24, 2017

Argiope Blanda or Silver Argiope??? I'm not marking "adult" as I'm wondering if it is a juvenile. I was visiting this area and totally unfamiliar with these orbweavers.

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Contributed by tfandre on 22 November, 2017 - 9:50am
Last updated 31 January, 2019 - 9:26am

Moved here tentatively

Moved from Orb Weavers. I'm pretty sure this is it.

… Chad Heins, 31 January, 2019 - 9:26am

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I have some people on inatura

I have some people on inaturalist asking why you said you were "pretty sure". Can you elaborate so I can pass on the information please? The observation is still sitting at "garden orbweavers"

… tfandre, 8 May, 2022 - 12:31pm

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Hmm...

I say tentatively because I do not have much experience with either of these two species. I moved it here because I believe it is consistent with other A. blanda observations and was found within the limited U.S. range for this species. The characteristic that I was relying on was the spiny projections on the abdomen which appear to be relatively acute/pointy rather than rounded as is more typical of A. argentata.

I am happy to hear that my moving this observation to this species has sparked some peer review (one of the reasons I move images tentatively at times). That is part of science and I am willing to hear contrary arguments and be wrong. After reviewing this image and the literature, I have not been convinced to change my ID at this time.

… Chad Heins, 9 May, 2022 - 11:06am

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I have alerted the folks that

I have alerted the folks that you answered and thank you for that. I would be happy with either ID :) As this was not taken in my neck of TX, either would be a new species of spider for me.

If you are on inaturalist, the observation is here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8722815#activity_identification_a7aa052c-8ebf-4602-b2d5-1c7c9638c777

… tfandre, 9 May, 2022 - 11:40am

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