Lobed Argiope
Argiope lobata
The distinctive silver, lobed abdomen of the female helps reflect intense sunlight, preventing her from overheating in her exposed, sun-drenched webs.
- Scientific name
- Argiope lobata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Arachnida › Araneae › Araneidae › Argiope
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Dry grasslands, Mediterranean scrublands, and semi-arid rocky fields
- Diet
- Flying and jumping insects, particularly grasshoppers, locusts, and butterflies
- Range
- Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia
- Size
- Females 18-22 mm, males 6-8 mm (body length)
- Lifespan
- 1 year
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss from agricultural expansion and widespread pesticide use
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This spider is docile and defensive only if pinched or handled. Keep a safe distance of at least 1 foot to avoid damaging its web. If bitten, the venom causes mild, localized pain similar to a bee sting; wash the bite area with soap and water and apply a cold compress.
Argiope lobata is a species of spider belonging to the family Araneidae. It has a wide distribution encompassing the whole of Africa and stretching to southern Europe and into Asia.
Photo: David Sandler, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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