CHAPTEK VI. 

 ARGIOPE AND HER RIBBONED ORB. 



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



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



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



Full Orbs. ^^-^ (A. cophinaria Walckenaer), and the Banded Argiope 

 A TCI on R o X ^ 1 



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



llu'ir habits and spinningwork, but .some striking differences will appear. 



Tlie 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 Rocky Mountains, 

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

 lornin. It is also distributed throughout the South, where Ilentz saw it. 

 i'rofessor \Mlder 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- j^-, adapt herself to the climatic extremes lying lietween our northern 

 H°b't"t '"^^^^ southern borders without any apparent siiecitic change. It is 

 interesting to know that her habits remain uninfluenced liy this 

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

 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 spider (riparia) indi- 

 cates that he considered the banks of streams favorite places for her snares. 

 Certainly, I have often found her in such localities, but there seems to be 

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

 prairies and jtlains. She builds 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 Philadelphia, is 

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

 America the poi)ular title so long borne by the British cross si)ider, Epeira 



(no) 



