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A Guide to Common Singapore Spiders
by Joseph K H Koh
  Multi-Coloured St Andrew's Cross Spider
Argiope versicolor (Doleschall) 1859
 
close-up of colourful abdomen of female
Female
This species appears very similar to Argiope pulchella. Both have a pentagonal abdomen. Classification: Family Araneidae, Orb-Web Spiders.
Habitat: Sunny parts of the forest.
Female: 8-12 mm.
Male: 3.5-4.5 mm.
Distribution: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam.
The flat, oval, whitish egg-sac has a papery texture and is often suspended near the web.

Argiope spiders make webs which are suspended vertically 1-2 metres from the ground.

spider on a web with white X-shaped band The web of mature female spiders of this genus can be easily recognised by the X-shaped zigzag bands of white silk in the centre of the web.

The brilliantly coloured spider with silvery hair on the carapace sits head down in the centre of the web, and holds its legs in pairs in such a way that they appear to be aligned to the four arms of the letter 'X'. The males are dull in colour and like the females, have the habit of pairing their legs. Their webs are, however, decorated by a lace-like centre, instead of white bands in the shape of the letter 'X'.

The web of Argiope pulchella
  From "A Guide to Common Singapore Spiders" by Joseph K. H. Koh
BP Guide to Nature Series published by the Singapore Science Centre and sponsored by British Petroleum
© 2000 Joseph K H Koh