Covered with reflective silvery hair, the Silver Garden Spider (Argiope argentata) is an introduced tropical species common in the gardens and shrublands of San Diego County. They construct webs that have a distinct “X” or cross shape, and suspend their egg sacs from bushes or branches, making them look like dead, slightly-chewed leaves.

The Silver Garden Spider is an orb-weaving spider with a large appetite for insects. It is a useful spider to have in the garden for natural pest control as they prefer areas like backyard gardens, parks, and other open spaces with an abundance of plants and insects.

To see more photos of the Silver Garden Spider, please visit the University of California Irvine’s website.

PHOTO CREDIT: Public Domain