Tag: Writing Spider

Picture of the Day for September 1, 2017

The underside of the Yellow Garden or Writing spider doesn’t catch your eye like its bright yellow back does, but the zigzag in its spiderweb does stand out. The dense zigzag of silk is known as a stabilimentum, but its purpose is disputed. Some say it acts as camouflage for the spider to hide behind, to attract insect or even warn birds that there is a web present.

The Zigzag

The Zigzag

Picture of the Day for August 15, 2016

This might not be “Charlotte” writing in the web for Wilbur, but there is a pig nearby and there is some extra markings in the web as the Zipper or Writing spider makes a zigzag pattern in the web.   Argiope aurantia is commonly known as the black and yellow garden spider, zipper spider, corn spider, and writing spider. The females are much larger than the males and this female is wrapping up a snack so she had plenty to eat as she makes her egg sac which can contains between 400 and 1400 eggs.

Zipper Spider

Zipper Spider