Argiope blanda
This record describes Argiope blanda (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to A. argentata , however the adult doesn't have the rounded Mickey Mouse ear shaped protusions on the anterior of the abdomen. The ventral markings are also different. Epigynum The images placed here are from the southern tip of Texas. They may be A. blanda or A. argentata. We are just placing them all here until we learn how to separate the two species.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
This species ranges from southernmost Texas to Costa Rica.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Argiope blanda O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1898
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Argiope blanda. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Argiope blanda (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , cheins , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Argiope blanda
What is Argiope blanda?
Argiope blanda is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Argiope blanda?
Very similar to A. argentata , however the adult doesn't have the rounded Mickey Mouse ear shaped protusions on the anterior of the abdomen. The ventral markings are also different. Epigynum
Where is Argiope blanda found?
Range: This species ranges from southernmost Texas to Costa Rica.