What term identifies the thick, white, zigzag pattern woven into the hub of the *Argiope aurantia* web?
Answer
stabilimentum
The specific embellishment woven into the center of the orb web constructed by *Argiope aurantia* is called the stabilimentum. This feature manifests as a dense, vertical band of silk woven in a pronounced zigzag pattern directly where the spider usually waits for prey. While the main spiral silk is sticky and used for capturing insects, the silk used for the stabilimentum has distinctly different properties; it is characteristically coarse, opaque, and lacks stickiness. This distinct architectural element is so conspicuous that early observers noted its resemblance to written script, hence giving the spider its common name.
#Videos
The YELLOW GARDEN SPIDER 🕷️ Animal Fact Files - YouTube
Related Questions
What term identifies the thick, white, zigzag pattern woven into the hub of the *Argiope aurantia* web?What biological purpose is associated with the writing spider's vivid black and bright yellow coloration?How does the silk comprising the stabilimentum differ chemically and physically from the capture silk?Which theory regarding the function of the stabilimentum relates to its strong reflection of ultraviolet (UV) light?What visual characteristics distinguish the mature female *Argiope aurantia* from the male?What common strategy do writing spiders employ to ensure the survival of their progeny through the cold season?Which alternative theory suggests the stabilimentum primarily functions to protect the web from damage by large flyers?When a gardener encounters a writing spider, what is the characteristic response if the spider feels disturbed?If a bite from the writing spider does occur, how is the resulting local effect typically described in terms of severity?Where are the common natural habitats for *Argiope aurantia* across North America?Why might an observer sometimes notice a writing spider's web lacking a defined stabilimentum?