Banded Argiope or Banded Garden Spider
Scientific Name: Argiope trifasciata
Order & Family: Order: Araneae; Family: Araneidae
Size: Females range from 15 to 25 mm in body length; males are much smaller at 4 to 5 mm
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in fields, meadows, and gardens with tall grass or shrubs
Diet & Feeding
Insects such as grasshoppers, flies, bees, and wasps that are caught in their large webs
Behavior Patterns
Known for spinning a large orb web with a zig-zag pattern called a stabilimentum down the center. They are most active in late summer and autumn.
Risks & Benefits
Beneficial to the ecosystem as natural pest control. They are generally harmless to humans; while they can bite if extremely threatened, the venom is not medically significant.
Identified on: 5/21/2026