Signature Spider

Araneidae; Argiope; Argiope luzona (Walckenaer, 1842). The spider shown here is a very young juvenile female. When it is full grown, it will measure about 24mm (body only, not including legs), but this juvenile is only about 4mm long. I have used a matchstick as a familiar reference for the size (sorry if it is a bit gimmicky - and no, I am not a smoker. I just put a match in my pocket because I went out looking for a juvenile). How do I know it is a female and not a male (because a full grown male is only about 6mm long)? Well. the male is very plain, with no colourful markings and the spider shown here displays some of the stripes and colours of the adult female.