Hawaiian Garden(Argiope appensa)

The orb-weaver is a large spider that is often found in tropical sites. It is frequently spotted in the Gum, and Hawaii.

Scientific Classification

• Family: Araneidae
• Genus: Argiope
• Scientific name: Argiope appensa

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Female Hawaiian garden spiders are around 2-2.5 in (5.0-6.35 cm) and males are around 0.75 in (1.9 cm)

Color: Legs are orange/yellow and black. The abdomen is yellow to neon green

Other Characteristic Features: Leg exhibit a banded pattern

Eggs

Eggs are produced in the egg sac that is attached to the web instead of the abdomen of the female spider.

Spiderlings

Spiderlings are hatched after a certain time from the eggs.

The Web

Hawaiian garden spiders make orb-figured webs with their signature zigzag patterns or stabilimenta and sit at the center of the web.

Are Hawaiian Garden Spiders Venomous

These spiders are not venomous at all.

Quick Facts

Distribution	Hawaiian, Guam, New Guinea, Taiwan, and islands of the Western Pacific Ocean
Habitat	Forest, coasts, and almost all types of habitat
Lifespan	Mostly 1 year
Web Type	Orb web
IUCN Conservation Status	Not Listed

Did You Know

• Although it is named Hawaiian, Hawaii was not the place where it was originally found. The spider species was introduced to the state.
• While most spiders prefer to stay alone, this spider often lives in communities.
• David Quammen, the famous nature writer, has shared in the book ‘The Song of the Dodo’ his experience of encountering the spider in numbers.

Image Credits: Static.inaturalist.org, Spiderid.com