''Argiope aetherea'' is a common, large
orb-web spider
Orb-weaver spiders are members of the spider family (biology), family Araneidae. They are the most common group of builders of spiral wheel-shaped spider web, webs often found in gardens, fields, and forests. The English word "orb" can mean "circ ...
(family Araneidae). Like other species of ''
Argiope'', it is commonly known as the St Andrew's Cross spider, due to the characteristic cross-shaped
web decorations
A stabilimentum (plural: stabilimenta), also known as a web decoration, is a conspicuous silk structure included in the webs of some species of orb-web spider. Its function is a subject of debate.
Origin
It is likely that the use of stabiliment ...
female spiders often include in their webs. ''A. aetherea'' is similar in appearance to
''A. keyserlingi'', however female ''A. aetherea'' are generally larger than ''A. keyserlingi''.
Like most orb-web spiders, ''A. aetherea'' shows considerable
sexual size dimorphism, with females being many times larger than males.
Distribution
''Argiope aetherea'' is found from China to Australia.
[
]
Subspecies
There exists a subspecies from New Guinea
New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; id, Papua, or , historically ) is the world's second-largest island with an area of . Located in Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the island is separated from Australia by the wide Torr ...
:
* ''Argiope aetherea annulipes'' Thorell, 1881
Gallery
Argiope aetherea 5055.jpg, ''Argiope aetherea'' with cross shaped web decoration
Argiope aetherea ventral 2430.jpg, ''Argiope aetherea'' (female, ventral)
Argiope aetherea 7582.jpg, Female, dorsal
Argiope aetherea 7580.jpg, Same spider, ventral
A Spider found in Assam.jpg, ''Argiope aetherea''
References
aetherea
Spiders of Australia
Spiders of Asia
Spiders described in 1841
{{Araneidae-stub