Yellow Garden Spider

An annual species, males die not too long after mating and females usually die off towards the end of the fall, or early winter. Studies have actually shown that the males’ death is triggered upon inserting the second palp into the female during mating (Foellmer & Fairbairn 2003). Egg sac is produced by the mature female spider in late summer or fall. It is spherical to pear-shaped, about 20-25mm long, covered in tough brown silk, and placed on the periphery of the web. Females typically lay 3 or 4 egg sacs, roughly 7-15 days apart. Each sac can contain 400 to 1,200 yellowish eggs, sometimes even more (1,200 in one sac is not uncommon). Spiderlings hatch within the egg sac in late autumn and overwinter inside the protective, insulated sac, emerging the following spring. Argiope are diurnal (daytime active), but might also occasionally feed at night if the temperature is warm.