St. Andrews Cross

Fact Box Species: Argiope keyserlingi (QM) Previous species name: Argiope aetheria Family: Araneidae formerly Argiopidae Body length: female: 14 mm male: 5 mm Habitat: This spider builds a roughly circular web between the branches of small shrubs and typically clings to the underside of this web with a pair of legs on each arm of a white cross of spider silk in the centre of the web Toxicity: Unknown; assumed virtually harmless to humans

Stabilimentum Egg sac, spiderlings Underneath female Male and female

The common name of this species is derived from its habit of producing and resting on a stabilimentum, which is a cross of serrated (zigzag) silk. In one season an adult female will produce several leaf-like, green egg sacs, these being attached to a wall or tree trunk in close proximity to the web.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Argiope picta and Argiope trifasciata.