Wordless Wednesday: Garden Spider

Garden Spiders, argiope aurantia, are found in sunny areas that contain plants, which are prime places for forming circular webs. Their three claws help garden spiders spin complex webs such as this one that contains a zigzagging “X” pattern called a stabilimentum. The function of the stabilimentum is unknown, but it is believed to alert birds to the presence of the web so that they don't fly through and destroy it.

Fun Fact:The garden spider connects itself to the web and hides in the brush. When an insect gets caught, the vibrations from the impact can be felt by the spider.

Resource: National Wildlife Federation