Argiope bruennichi, commonly known as the wasp spider or zebra spider, is a species of orb-weaver spider belonging to the family Araneidae. It is distinctive for its striking yellow and black striped abdomen, which resembles that of a wasp, a form of Batesian mimicry. The species is widespread across much of Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa.
Description Argiope bruennichi exhibits significant sexual dimorphism. The female is considerably larger and more vibrantly colored than the male. Female bodies typically measure between 14 to 17 millimeters in length, though some individuals can reach up to 20 millimeters. Their abdomen is prominently marked with bold yellow and black stripes, often with some white or silvery areas, and their legs are also banded. Males are much smaller, usually measuring 4 to 6 millimeters, with a less distinct and often duller coloration, typically brownish or greyish. Juveniles of both sexes tend to be paler.
Distribution and Habitat The wasp spider is native to much of continental Europe, extending into North Africa, parts of Asia including Japan, and has been expanding its range northwards in recent decades, likely due to climate change. In the United Kingdom, it was once rare but has become increasingly common, particularly in the south. It prefers open, sunny, and somewhat moist habitats, such as grasslands, meadows, heathlands, garden edges, and areas with tall vegetation. It constructs its webs relatively low to the ground in dense foliage.
Web and Hunting Like other orb-weavers, Argiope bruennichi constructs a large, circular web, often placed between stems of grass or low shrubs. A distinctive feature of its web is the presence of a prominent, zigzagging silk structure called a stabilimentum. The function of the stabilimentum is debated, with theories suggesting it may deter birds from flying through the web, attract prey (by reflecting UV light), or even camouflage the spider. The spider typically rests head-down in the center of the web, often aligning itself with the stabilimentum. It is an ambush predator, waiting for insects like grasshoppers, crickets, flies, and bees to become entangled in its sticky web. Once prey is caught, the spider rapidly immobilizes it by wrapping it in silk and injecting venom.
Reproduction Mating in Argiope bruennichi is a perilous affair for the male. After locating a female's web, the male carefully approaches, often vibrating the web to signal his presence. During copulation, which can be brief, the male inserts one of his two palpal organs into the female's epigyne. He may then lose the palpal organ, which serves as a mating plug, preventing other males from fertilizing the female. This often leads to the male's demise, as the larger female may cannibalize him, especially if he fails to escape quickly or loses both palps. The female lays her eggs in a spherical, papery egg sac, which is typically brown and well-camouflaged amongst vegetation. She may produce one or more egg sacs, each containing several hundred eggs, usually in late summer or early autumn. The spiderlings hatch the following spring.
Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Family: Araneidae
- Genus: Argiope
- Species: A. bruennichi (Scopoli, 1772)
Etymology The genus name Argiope is derived from ancient Greek, meaning "silver face" or "bright eye," possibly referring to the spider's appearance. The specific epithet bruennichi honors the Danish zoologist Morten Thrane Brünnich.
Interaction with Humans Argiope bruennichi is generally considered harmless to humans. While it possesses venom, its bite is not medically significant to humans and is usually compared to a bee or wasp sting in terms of sensation. Bites are extremely rare, as the spider is not aggressive and will typically flee or drop from its web if disturbed.