CLOSED: Biggest one yet!!!

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Rosemack Robertsdale, AL Aug 31, 2007

I think this spider has got to be the biggest... or at least fattest one I have seen around here. I believe it is a banana spider. He sure likes like he is well fed!!!

Thumbnail by Rosemack
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Rosemack Robertsdale, AL Aug 31, 2007

Here is another pic....

Thumbnail by Rosemack
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bigcityal Appleton, WI(Zone 5a) Aug 31, 2007

Yowza - that's a lot of bananas.

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maidentheshade Beaumont, TX Aug 31, 2007

ooooooooooooo He's HUGE!! That sure does look like the same spider saraskeeper posted in the daily pics thread, doesn't it?. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=3915334

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) Aug 31, 2007

maidentheshade's right, that's a Black and Yellow Argiope, Argiope aurantia. Maybe it's pregnant?

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melody Benton, KY(Zone 7a) Sep 01, 2007

It's a female for sure...bet she's loaded with eggs.

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Rosemack Robertsdale, AL Sep 01, 2007

Yes.. indeed.. it looks like the one that saraskeeper posted, but her's is a darker color. What do the colors mean? Does anyone know? I really haven't researched these spiders but we have soooooo many of them around. I just wondered if the colors meant different sexes or different strains or what? I think they are beautiful.... I guess my name of Harry for this one should be changed to Harriette!!! hahahah.

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melody Benton, KY(Zone 7a) Sep 01, 2007

All of these Argoipe spiders are the females...males are very small and look quite different. The females are the ones that spin the big webs and the males sit on the edges waiting till she wants a boyfriend....he gets his one moment of passion....then he's lunch.

There are several similar spiders, but for the most part, you are seeing the Argoipe aurantia. There are minor color variations, and possibly they vary a bit by location.

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ceejaytown The Woodlands, TX(Zone 9a) Sep 01, 2007

Gosh, I've never read that the female ate the male after mating. Often the male will spin a separate smaller web near her web, and "court" her from there. I love these spiders!!! They are so beautiful...
Here's some more great info on them, with pictures of the males and immatures...
http://bugguide.net/node/view/2025

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