Black And Gold Argiope (Argiope aurantia)

August 4^th, 2012. Normally, sighting a Black and Gold Argiope (Argiope aurantia) wouldn’t be a big deal. In normal years, we start seeing them in the Spring and can follow them through well into Fall. With the drought, we haven’t seen many in the last couple of years.

 We spotted this one on its web out in the open, away from the forest behind it.

A close view. She looks fairly old. The black color has ‘faded’ with time.

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Identificaton resource:

- BugGuide: Black And Gold Argiope (Argiope aurantia) 

- Fairfax County Public Schools: Black And Gold Argiope (Argiope aurantia)