Superfamily Argiopoidea 



the limits of the United States; formerly all of our Argiopinae 

 except Gea heptagon were included in it. 



The Silvered Garden Spider, Argiope argeniata (A. ar-gen- 

 ta'ta). — This is a tropical species whose range extends into the 

 southern part of our territory, being found in the Gulf States and 

 in the Southwest. The adult female measures three fourths inch 

 in length. It can be easily recognized by its striking form (Fig. 

 454)- 



Genus GEA (Ge'a) 



The cephalothorax is arched; the head is large; the eyes of the 

 anterior row are nearly equidistant. The two sexes are nearly 

 equal in size. 



Only one species is found in this country. 



Gea heptagon (G. hep'ta-gon).— - The adult female measures 

 one fifth inch in length. The general colours of the cephalothorax 

 are dark brown with yellowish and blackish markings. 



The dorsal field of the abdomen is brown, relieved with 

 metallic white; there is a black shield-shaped folium in the middle 

 of the apical half of the abdomen. There are three tubercles on 

 each side of the abdomen, one at the base, and two near the 

 middle. It was probably these that suggested the specific name. 

 The male closely resembles the female in size and markings; but 

 differs in that the four anterior tibiae are furnished, on the internal 

 side, with many, long and strong spines. 



The web of our species has not been described. That of an 

 exotic species described by Workman, as quoted by Simon, has 

 no stabilimentum, and the viscid spirals are numerous and close 

 together. 



This is a southern species which is found as far north as the 

 District of Columbia. 



Subfamily ARANEIN^E (A-ran-e-i'nae) 



The Typical Orb-weavers 



To this family belong the larger number of our orb-weaving 

 spiders, including as it does more species than the other six sub- 

 families of the Argiopidas taken together. As the Araneinae 

 constitute the central and most abundant type of orb-weavers, 1 

 give to the subfamily the popular name of the typical orb-weavers. 



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