Argiope levii
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Levi's Garden Orb-Web Spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Araneidae |
| Genus: | Argiope |
| Species: | A. levii |
| Binomial name | |
| Argiope levii Bjørn, 1997[1] | |
Argiope levii is a species of spider in the family Araneidae.[2] It is endemic to Africa and is commonly known as Levi's garden orb-web spider.[3]
Argiope levii is known from Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. In South Africa, the species is known from three provinces at elevations ranging from 20 to 1,412 m above sea level.[3]
Habitat and ecology
The species constructs orb webs in open grassland areas and gardens. The webs are usually placed low in shrubby vegetation sturdy enough to bear their weight. The spider hangs at the hub head-down throughout the day, with webs sometimes decorated with a stabilimentum. The species inhabits Forest, Grassland and Savanna biomes.[3]
Description
Conservation
Argiope levii is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in several reserves including Lake Sibaya, Ndumo Game Reserve, and Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve.[3]
