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Wasp (Argiope Bruennichi)

Belonging to the orb-weaver family, the wasp spider is indigenous to northern and Central Europe, alongside certain portions of Asia and North Africa.

Scientific Classification

Wasp Spider

 

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Females are around 0.59 inches (1.5 cm) long, and males have a length of 0.17 inches (0.45 cm).

Color: Its body is a combination of yellow and black bands alongside stripes of white.

Other Characteristic Features: They have long abdomen and legs with a wavy pattern of stripes running through their body.

Wasp Spider Size

Eggs

Eggs are laid in a cocoon-shaped sac made by female spiders.

Wasp Spider Egg Sac

Spiderlings

After going through an overwintering process, young hatchlings arrive in the following spring

The Web

The spider makes a spiral web during dawn or dusk with the signature crisscross pattern at the center mostly used for attracting its prey.

Wasp Spider Web

Are Wasp Spiders Venomous

Their bite equivalent to a bee-sting is not harmful to humans.

Quick Facts

Distribution Northern and central Europe, Asia, north Africa, and archipelago
Habitat Grassland and vegetations
Diet Insects
Web Type Orb
Lifespan 1-3 years
Subspecies Argiope bruennichini nigrofasciata
IUCN Conservation List Not Listed

Did You Know

  • Most of the male spiders plug themselves into the female spiders’ bodies so that the females don’t mate with others.
  • Their coloration replicates the body of a wasp, hence the name.

Image Credits: Rdnhs.org.uk, Live.staticflickr.com, Srs.britishspiders.org.uk

Belonging to the orb-weaver family, the wasp spider is indigenous to northern and Central Europe, alongside certain portions of Asia and North Africa.

Wasp Spider

 

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Females are around 0.59 inches (1.5 cm) long, and males have a length of 0.17 inches (0.45 cm).

Color: Its body is a combination of yellow and black bands alongside stripes of white.

Other Characteristic Features: They have long abdomen and legs with a wavy pattern of stripes running through their body.

Wasp Spider Size

Eggs

Eggs are laid in a cocoon-shaped sac made by female spiders.

Wasp Spider Egg Sac

Spiderlings

After going through an overwintering process, young hatchlings arrive in the following spring

The Web

The spider makes a spiral web during dawn or dusk with the signature crisscross pattern at the center mostly used for attracting its prey.

Wasp Spider Web

Are Wasp Spiders Venomous

Their bite equivalent to a bee-sting is not harmful to humans.

Quick Facts

Distribution Northern and central Europe, Asia, north Africa, and archipelago
Habitat Grassland and vegetations
Diet Insects
Web Type Orb
Lifespan 1-3 years
Subspecies Argiope bruennichini nigrofasciata
IUCN Conservation List Not Listed

Did You Know

  • Most of the male spiders plug themselves into the female spiders’ bodies so that the females don’t mate with others.
  • Their coloration replicates the body of a wasp, hence the name.

Image Credits: Rdnhs.org.uk, Live.staticflickr.com, Srs.britishspiders.org.uk

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