This spider is known by many different common names, like Wasp Spider, Zebra Spider, Banded Garden Spider or Banded Argiope.

All these names have some reference to its coloured body with black and yellow stripes. This spider species have a big sexual dimorphism where females can reach 2 cm of body and 5 cm of leg-span while males are much smaller with a body of only 1.2 cm and 3 cm of leg-span. Males are also much whiter in colour and much less marked than the females.

Female wasp spider

The Wasp spider is distributed all over Europe except in Sweden and Norway and, it is also part of Madeira's Nature. Its habitat is much diversified as it adapts easily to the environment. It only needs a wide space to build its vertical orb web with vertical zig-zag band of silk. It is not a dangerous spider, though it might bite if grabbed, but their venom is not regarded as a serious medical problem for humans.

Photos by Hugo Romano