Argiope trifasciata, the banded garden or banded orb-weaving spider, is a species of arachnid in the family
Araneidae. It is native to North and South America but has spread to other parts of the world. This ventral view of a female
A. trifasciata shows her in the centre of her web, which can reach a diameter of 60 cm (24 in). The function of the zig-zag
web decorations is unclear, but they may serve to make the spider appear larger or to act as a warning sign.
Photograph credit: Joaquim Alves Gaspar