Beautiful Silver Argiope Disc-shaped Stabilimentum Stock Photo

This is an Argiope argentata spider species, Araneidae family. A juvenile female. Common name: silver argiope (due to the silvery color of its cephalothorax). This species resides in arid and warm environments in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and widely across South America. A. argentata create stabilimenta (web decoration with an "X" shape, but juveniles commonly construct disc-shaped decorations) and a unique zig-zag in its web design, and it utilizes its UV-reflecting silk to attract pollinating species to prey upon. Like other species of Argiope, its venom is not harmful to humans. Notable sexual dimorphism in regards to size, with the male being much smaller than the female. Argiope argentata spider engages in sexual cannibalism, during or after copulation, without fail. Observed near Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR), Petén department, northern Guatemala.