Black-and-yellow argiope (Argiope aurantia)
The black-and-yellow argiope is a spider in the family Araneidae that is not dangerous to people. GBIF holds 6,461 licensed U.S. records of it; it reaches our listing threshold in 44 states, most of all Texas (1,979), North Carolina (454) and Virginia (383). Its observation records peak in August.
Argiope aurantia is a species of spider, commonly known as the yellow garden spider, black and yellow garden spider, golden garden spider, writing spider, zigzag spider, zipper spider, black and yellow argiope, corn spider, Steeler spider, or McKinley spider. The species was first described by Hippolyte Lucas in 1833. It is common to the contiguous United States, Hawaii, southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America.
From Wikipedia: Argiope aurantia, text under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is the black-and-yellow argiope poisonous or venomous?
Not in any medically significant way. Like almost all spiders the black-and-yellow argiope (family Araneidae) has venom for its prey, but it is not a widow or recluse, the two U.S. groups whose bites need medical attention.
Which states have the black-and-yellow argiope?
Records are spread over 44 states; the top three, Texas, North Carolina and Virginia, hold 44% of them. It is the most recorded spider of all in Texas, North Carolina, Delaware and Arkansas.
| # | State | Records | Share of state spiders | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 1,979 | 6.9% | 1st of 386 |
| 2 | North Carolina | 454 | 5.4% | 1st of 184 |
| 3 | Virginia | 383 | 3.3% | 6th of 176 |
| 4 | Florida | 357 | 2.8% | 7th of 237 |
| 5 | Georgia | 308 | 4.6% | 4th of 186 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 223 | 5.5% | 3rd of 107 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 208 | 4.0% | 3rd of 149 |
| 8 | Alabama | 177 | 4.9% | 3rd of 143 |
| 9 | Maryland | 175 | 3.1% | 7th of 153 |
| 10 | Delaware | 151 | 7.2% | 1st of 71 |
| 11 | California | 147 | 0.3% | 50th of 309 |
| 12 | Illinois | 124 | 0.7% | 20th of 243 |
| 13 | South Carolina | 123 | 5.2% | 3rd of 121 |
| 14 | New York | 115 | 1.9% | 14th of 149 |
| 15 | Tennessee | 111 | 3.0% | 4th of 138 |
| 16 | Vermont | 111 | 7.1% | 3rd of 74 |
| 17 | Ohio | 110 | 1.6% | 14th of 332 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 108 | 1.5% | 11th of 164 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 103 | 3.3% | 3rd of 149 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | 95 | 2.1% | 7th of 189 |
| 21 | Minnesota | 88 | 2.9% | 6th of 145 |
| 22 | Mississippi | 88 | 6.2% | 2nd of 117 |
| 23 | Missouri | 86 | 3.7% | 4th of 117 |
| 24 | Kansas | 79 | 4.8% | 4th of 94 |
| 25 | Arkansas | 71 | 4.3% | 1st of 114 |
| 26 | Kentucky | 59 | 3.2% | 8th of 103 |
| 27 | New Jersey | 52 | 2.3% | 10th of 127 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | 50 | 3.6% | 5th of 72 |
| 29 | Connecticut | 45 | 4.5% | 5th of 86 |
| 30 | Michigan | 45 | 1.9% | 14th of 122 |
| 31 | Indiana | 39 | 0.9% | 21st of 133 |
| 32 | Iowa | 39 | 5.7% | 3rd of 57 |
| 33 | Maine | 37 | 3.9% | 3rd of 297 |
| 34 | Oregon | 28 | 1.0% | 18th of 88 |
| 35 | Nebraska | 24 | 1.9% | 6th of 71 |
| 36 | West Virginia | 20 | 2.6% | 8th of 90 |
| 37 | New Mexico | 14 | 0.6% | 27th of 247 |
| 38 | Arizona | 11 | 0.2% | 47th of 162 |
| 39 | Washington | 7 | 0.2% | 64th of 157 |
| 40 | Colorado | 6 | 0.1% | 61st of 378 |
| 41 | South Dakota | 4 | 2.1% | 8th of 29 |
| 42 | Montana | 2 | 0.1% | 51st of 75 |
| 43 | North Dakota | 2 | 2.4% | 8th of 115 |
| 44 | Rhode Island | 1 | 0.6% | 29th of 53 |
When is the black-and-yellow argiope seen?
Across the U.S., observation records of the black-and-yellow argiope run mostly June through October, peaking in August with 31% of them. Almost none are from December to February.
Season by state
Among states whose main season falls within one calendar year, it starts earliest in April (Florida and Louisiana) and latest in August (New Jersey). The most common peak month is August, shared by Alabama, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland and 12 more.
| State | Main season | Peak month | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | May through October | August | 1,975 |
| North Carolina | June through October | August | 454 |
| Virginia | July through October | September | 383 |
| Florida | April through October | September | 333 |
| Georgia | June through October | September | 308 |
| Louisiana | April through October | July | 223 |
| Oklahoma | July through October | September | 201 |
| Alabama | June through October | August | 177 |
| Maryland | July through October | August | 174 |
| Delaware | June through September | August | 151 |
| California | July through October | September | 137 |
| South Carolina | June through November | August | 122 |
| New York | July through September | August | 115 |
| Vermont | July through September | August | 111 |
| Ohio | July through October | August | 110 |
| Tennessee | July through October | September | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | July through September | August | 108 |
| Wisconsin | July through October | August | 101 |
| Massachusetts | concentrated in August and September | — | 95 |
| Illinois | July through September | August | 89 |
| Minnesota | July through September | August | 88 |
| Mississippi | May through October | August | 88 |
| Missouri | July through October | September | 83 |
| Kansas | July through September | August | 77 |
| Arkansas | June through October | July | 68 |
| Kentucky | July through October | September | 59 |
| New Jersey | August through October | September | 52 |
| New Hampshire | July through September | August | 50 |
| Connecticut | July through September | September | 45 |
| Michigan | July through September | August | 45 |
| Iowa | July through September | August | 38 |
| Maine | concentrated in August and September | — | 37 |
| Indiana | July through September | September | 35 |
Where the black-and-yellow argiope is recorded in each state
Texas
Texas holds 1,979 licensed records, the most recorded of 386 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Texas run mostly May through October, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Dallas County, Tarrant County and Travis County. Next come Wilson County (118) and Bexar County (115).
North Carolina
North Carolina holds 454 licensed records, the most recorded of 184 spiders listed there. Its observation records in North Carolina run mostly June through October, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Orange County, Wake County and Durham County. Next come Mecklenburg County (31) and Dare County (30).
Virginia
Virginia holds 383 licensed records, the 6th most recorded of 176 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Virginia run mostly July through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Fairfax County, Hanover County and Prince William County. Next come Goochland County (36) and Virginia Beach (22).
Florida
Florida holds 357 licensed records, the 7th most recorded of 237 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Florida run mostly April through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Alachua County, Orange County and Polk County. Next come Sarasota County (19) and Putnam County (15).
Georgia
Georgia holds 308 licensed records, the 4th most recorded of 186 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Georgia run mostly June through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from DeKalb County, Clarke County and Chatham County. Next come Bryan County (23) and Richmond County (22).
Louisiana
Louisiana holds 223 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 107 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Louisiana run mostly April through October, peaking in July; most licensed records come from East Baton Rouge Parish, Saint Tammany Parish and Jefferson Parish. Next come Vernon Parish (13) and Jefferson Davis Parish (9).
Oklahoma
Oklahoma holds 208 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 149 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Oklahoma run mostly July through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Mayes County, Cleveland County and Oklahoma County. Next come Woodward County (13) and Carter County (11).
Alabama
Alabama holds 177 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 143 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Alabama run mostly June through October, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Blount County, Jefferson County and Mobile County. Next come Cullman County (15) and Baldwin County (12).
Maryland
Maryland holds 175 licensed records, the 7th most recorded of 153 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Maryland run mostly July through October, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Prince George's County, Frederick County and Anne Arundel County. Next come Montgomery County (18) and Howard County (14).
Delaware
Delaware holds 151 licensed records, the most recorded of 71 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Delaware run mostly June through September, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Sussex County, Kent County and New Castle County.
California
California holds 147 licensed records, the 50th most recorded of 309 spiders listed there. Its observation records in California run mostly July through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Sonoma County, San Diego County and Los Angeles County. Next come Santa Clara County (16) and Marin County (13).
Illinois
Illinois holds 124 licensed records, the joint 20th most recorded of 243 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Illinois run mostly July through September, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Cook County, Winnebago County and Champaign County. Next come Iroquois County (7) and Kane County (7).
South Carolina
South Carolina holds 123 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 121 spiders listed there. Its observation records in South Carolina run mostly June through November, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Charleston County, Richland County and Lexington County. Next come Georgetown County (9) and Horry County (8).
New York
New York holds 115 licensed records, the 14th most recorded of 149 spiders listed there. Its observation records in New York run mostly July through September, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Tompkins County, Greene County and Westchester County. Next come Onondaga County (7) and Suffolk County (6).
Tennessee
Tennessee holds 111 licensed records, the 4th most recorded of 138 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Tennessee run mostly July through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Shelby County, Knox County and Bradley County. Next come Blount County (8) and Hamilton County (7).
Vermont
Vermont holds 111 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 74 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Vermont run mostly July through September, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Chittenden County, Washington County and Windsor County. Next come Windham County (15) and Rutland County (12).
Ohio
Ohio holds 110 licensed records, the 14th most recorded of 332 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Ohio run mostly July through October, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Summit County, Hamilton County and Franklin County. Next come Richland County (7) and Greene County (6).
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania holds 108 licensed records, the joint 11th most recorded of 164 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Pennsylvania run mostly July through September, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Centre County, Monroe County and Chester County. Next come Lancaster County (8) and Allegheny County (7).
Wisconsin
Wisconsin holds 103 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 149 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Wisconsin run mostly July through October, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Dane County, Jefferson County and Grant County. Next come Milwaukee County (7) and Iowa County (5).
Massachusetts
Massachusetts holds 95 licensed records, the 7th most recorded of 189 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Massachusetts are concentrated in August and September (91% of them); most licensed records come from Dukes County, Barnstable County and Middlesex County. Next come Essex County (8) and Bristol County (7).
Minnesota
Minnesota holds 88 licensed records, the 6th most recorded of 145 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Minnesota run mostly July through September, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Ramsey County, Hennepin County and Stevens County. Next come Traverse County (7) and Big Stone County (5).
Mississippi
Mississippi holds 88 licensed records, the 2nd most recorded of 117 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Mississippi run mostly May through October, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Jackson County, Pearl River County and Simpson County. Next come Forrest County (4) and Rankin County (4).
Missouri
Missouri holds 86 licensed records, the 4th most recorded of 117 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Missouri run mostly July through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Texas County, St. Louis County and Boone County. Next come Franklin County (4) and Benton County (4).
Kansas
Kansas holds 79 licensed records, the 4th most recorded of 94 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Kansas run mostly July through September, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Douglas County, Leavenworth County and Shawnee County. Next come Johnson County (5) and Riley County (5).
Arkansas
Arkansas holds 71 licensed records, the most recorded of 114 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Arkansas run mostly June through October, peaking in July; most licensed records come from Craighead County, Benton County and Clay County. Next come Johnson County (5) and Mississippi County (5).
Top counties in the U.S.
| # | County | State | Records | Share of U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas County | Texas | 186 | 2.9% |
| 2 | Sussex County | Delaware | 142 | 2.2% |
| 3 | Tarrant County | Texas | 137 | 2.1% |
| 4 | Travis County | Texas | 135 | 2.1% |
| 5 | Wilson County | Texas | 118 | 1.8% |
| 6 | Bexar County | Texas | 115 | 1.8% |
| 7 | Lee County | Texas | 85 | 1.3% |
| 8 | Alachua County | Florida | 83 | 1.3% |
| 9 | Harris County | Texas | 80 | 1.2% |
| 10 | Denton County | Texas | 79 | 1.2% |
| 11 | East Baton Rouge Parish | Louisiana | 78 | 1.2% |
| 12 | Milam County | Texas | 70 | 1.1% |
| 13 | Collin County | Texas | 64 | 1.0% |
| 14 | Orange County | North Carolina | 53 | 0.8% |
| 15 | Wake County | North Carolina | 51 | 0.8% |
How recent are the black-and-yellow argiope records?
Most of what is known about the black-and-yellow argiope is recent: 91% of dated U.S. records were made in 2017–2026, and half date from 2022 or later. The oldest dated record is from 1909; the busiest year was 2024, with 920 records.
| Decade | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 1 | 0.0% |
| 1910s | 4 | 0.1% |
| 1920s | 2 | 0.0% |
| 1930s | 6 | 0.1% |
| 1940s | 6 | 0.1% |
| 1950s | 9 | 0.1% |
| 1960s | 4 | 0.1% |
| 1970s | 7 | 0.1% |
| 1980s | 13 | 0.2% |
| 1990s | 17 | 0.3% |
| 2000s | 74 | 1.1% |
| 2010s | 1,411 | 21.5% |
| 2020s | 5,020 | 76.4% |
Species recorded in the same counties
Of the 458 counties where the black-and-yellow argiope is most recorded, 243 are also top counties for the bold jumper, more than for any other spider. None of its closest neighbors is venomous.
| Species | Shared counties |
|---|---|
| Bold jumper | 243 |
| Familiar jumping spider | 237 |
| Spotted orbweaver | 234 |
| Nursery web spider | 223 |
| Dark fishing spider | 198 |
| Orchard orbweaver | 179 |
| Spined micrathena | 167 |
| Bronze jumper | 166 |
Related species in the U.S.
Other species of the genus Argiope with profiles here: Banded garden spider, Silver argiope and Banana spider.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.