Pest Index

Spider (Garden Spider)

• July 14, 2014
• Beacon Pest
• Pest Index

Binomial Name:  Argiope sp.

Identification:

• Overall Length:  Adult male is 4-5mm while the female is 15-17mm
• Colour:  Adult has a yellow, black and white abdominal bands

Life Cycle:  Garden spider egg cocoons are deposited in early fall and consist of several hundred eggs.  The immature spiders emerge the following spring.

Behaviour:  The adult spider can be found from mid to late summer through the first freeze.  Almost all of the species spin snares in the from of an orb.  Some spiders will remain in the centre of the snare while others will wait at its edge.

Signs of Infestation:  The Garden spider builds its nest close to the ground or in high grass.