CHAPTEE VI. 

 ARGIOPE AND HER RIBBONED ORB. 



In the United States the genus Argiope is represented by two species 



whose large size and beautiful markings have drawn to them the attention 



of most familiars of our autumn fields. They are the Basket 

 Pull Orbs • 



■ Argiope (A. cophinaria Walckenaer), and the Banded Argiope 



(A. argyraspis Walck.) These resemble each other closely in 

 their habits and spinningwork, but some striking differences will appear. 



The Basket Argiope is the largest of our northern Orbweavers and is 

 equaled in size by the genus Nephila alone, whose habitat is limited to the 

 Gulf States and southern California. This species is widely distributed over 

 the United States. I have examples extending from New England, through 

 the Middle and Western States to Lincoln, Nebraska, the Rockv Mountains, 

 and to the extreme southwestern jjoint of our Pacific coast at San Diego, Cali- 

 fornia. It is also distributed throughout the South, where Hentz saw it. 

 Professor AVilder found it abundant on the seaboard of the Carolinas, and 

 I collected specimens as far southwest as Austin, Texas. 



Cophinaria is, therefore, a veritable " continental," and is able 



Distribu- |.Q r^j.^p^ herself to the climatic extremes lying between our northern 

 Tiiori SjIiq t/ <^ 



Habitat '^^^*^ southern borders without any apparent specific change. It is 

 interesting to know that her habits remain uninfluenced by this 

 distribution, as far as present information, variously collected, can determine. 

 Her snare and cocoon everywhere bear the same characteristics, showing 

 that the chief forms of her industry are unchanged by varying environ- 

 ment. The specific name ,which Hentz gave this si)ider (ri})aria) indi- 

 cates that he considered the banks of streams favorite })laces for her snares. 

 Certaiidy, I liave often found her in such localities, but there seems to be 

 no special fondness therefor, as is shown by her wide distribution over tlio 

 prairies and plains. She l)uilds in low bushes, tufts of grass, clumps of 

 weeds, and like positions, and is fond of low and moist locations, but fre- 

 quents lawns and fields, and, indeed, in the vicinity of Philadel[)hia, is 

 quite commonly known as "the large garden spider," thus acquiring in 

 America the popular title so long borne by the British cross spider, Epeira 



(9fi) 



