Yellow Garden Spider

Argiope aurantia

True spiderintermediateVenom: Mild

About

The big, gorgeous black-and-yellow garden orb weaver with the zig-zag 'writing' (stabilimentum) in its web. Harmless. Needs a LARGE vertical enclosure so it can spin a full orb web, plus flying/active prey. Warm (70-85°F), moderate humidity, light misting. Note it's an ANNUAL species — females mature in late summer, produce egg sacs in fall, and naturally die off after; plan for a seasonal display rather than a multi-year pet.

Taxonomy

FamilyAraneidae

GenusArgiope

Native regionNorth America

TypeOrb-web (arboreal)

Temperamentdocile; non-aggressive orb weaver

Size & growth

Adult sizefemale body ~0.75-1.1 in

Length19.00–28.00 mm

Growth ratefast

Climate

Temperature70–85 °F

Humidity50–70%

Enclosure

Adult sizelarge vertical/mesh enclosure for a full orb web

Substrateany; needs open vertical space + frame for the orb web

Substrate depth1 inch

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizeappropriately sized crickets / flies

Adult cadence1-2 prey per week

Times kept: 0