Saint Andrew's Cross Spider
Argiope keyserlingi
Adults inhabit gardens, forest edges, and scrub where they suspend neat orb webs between stems and branches. They sit near the centre of the web with paired legs held in a cross-like posture, waiting for flying insects to strike the sticky silk. Captured prey is bitten, wrapped, and subdued with venom before feeding. A conspicuous zigzag silk decoration in the web can reflect ultraviolet light and may help attract prey or warn larger animals away.
- Type
- Venom / Stealth
- Conservation status
- NE