The Energy Caper Site

Mrs. Argiope

Mrs. Agriope, a large (1.5 inches) black-and-yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia), arrived one day in June on an intricatly woven web suspended between a rose bush and a hollyhock. An orb-weaving species, they are known as "writing spiders" because the patterns of their webs resemble letters of the alphabet. Mrs. Argiope was an entertaining guest, endearing herself to all who met her. She never complained or made any trouble, and quite literally hung out in the garden, dining on gnats and flies, until late October.