CHAPTER VI. 

 ARGIOPE AND HER RIBBONED ORB. 



I. 



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 

 u rDS - 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 Rocky Mountains, 

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

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

 Professor Wilder 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 



istribu- | Q ac [ a pt herself to the climatic extremes lying between our northern 



H bitat an( ^ sou thern 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, qan 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 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 plains. 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 popular title so long borne by the British cross spider, Epeira 



(96) 



