Orchard Spider (Leucauge argyra)

An Orchard Spider in our garden. These orbweavers are very common here in Trinidad and Tobago and are somehow the most photogenic spider, in my opinion, as they are always at the centre of their web which is usually in a clear area. With the heavy rains last week, there seems to be a lot more bugs and arachnids around, as well as tree frogs and cane toads, however, I was not able to find a lot of moths for moth week, but maybe next year.

comments (5)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Excellent shot, Wesley!

Side note: the Wikipedia distribution text seems way off. Reported from Asia, United States....whilst actual reports I see of this spider mostly come from Central and South America. Ah well. Posted 4 years ago
1. Wesley Goorachan
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Ferdy! I've noticed Wikipedia can be a bit inaccurate but I think eventually someone will add more info to the page. In my experience, IDs for species from my region can be very difficult to find due to how rarely wildlife in my region (especially insects and arachnids) are studied. Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Very true, insufficient data is a problem in many places. Glad you're helping to solve that :) Posted 4 years ago

Ruth Spigelman

Lion

I agree, they are like tiny jewels in the foliage. So common, but does not detract from their beauty in my opinion. Super ventral shot here Wesley, especially considering its size. Posted 4 years ago
1. Wesley Goorachan
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you for your comment Ruth! They are incredible spiders, sadly they are often swatted or sprayed with pesticides for simply being a spider. Posted 4 years ago

The Leucauge argyra

''Leucauge argyra'' is a spider and is known for being the host of the ''Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga'', a Costa Rican or Puerto Rican parasitoid wasp. It is found in Asia, United States and Brazil. ''Leucauge argyra'' is known to be a colonial species, with spiders maintaining individual territories/orb webs within a scaffolding of shared support lines maintained by the group. Colonies of multi-generational individuals are often seen with some levels of size stratification .

Info 1 0

Similar species: Spiders

Species identified by Wesley Goorachan