Argiope aetherea
Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox
Argiope aetherea is a common, large orb-web spider (family Araneidae). Like other species of Argiope, it is commonly known as the St Andrew's Cross spider, due to the characteristic cross-shaped web decorations female spiders often include in their webs. A. aetherea is similar in appearance to A. keyserlingi, however female A. aetherea are generally larger than A. keyserlingi.[1] Like most orb-web spiders, A. aetherea shows considerable sexual size dimorphism, with females being many times larger than males.
Distribution
Argiope aetherea is found from China to Australia.[2]
Subspecies
There exists a subspecies from New Guinea:
- Argiope aetherea annulipes Thorell, 1881
Gallery
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Argiope aetherea with cross shaped web decoration
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Argiope aetherea (female, ventral)
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Female, dorsal
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Same spider, ventral
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Argiope aetherea
