Lobed argiope (Argiope lobata)

Short answers

Lobed argiope: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A tall, roomy enclosure ~40×40×60 cm with anchor points for the orb web.

Lobed argiope: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C (warm, sunny), at night 16–20 °C.

Lobed argiope: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential; bright light and UVA encourage activity.

Lobed argiope: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: usually annual (the adult lives one season; the egg sac overwinters).

Lobed argiope: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C (warm, sunny)

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

UVB not essential; bright light and UVA encourage activity

Enclosure

Minimum size

a tall, roomy enclosure ~40×40×60 cm with anchor points for the orb web

Substrate

Dry (sand or soil) with dry vegetation and branches for web-building

Feeding

Food

Flying or larger insects (locusts, flies, crickets) – an orb-web hunter

Feeding interval

2–3×/week (a hearty feeder)

Key facts

Adult size

females up to ~25 mm, males up to ~6 mm body length (a strong size dimorphism)

Life expectancy

usually annual (the adult lives one season; the egg sac overwinters)

Origin

The Mediterranean and Old World (to Java); dry, sunny ground

Protection status

Not protected (in Germany only marginally, in the south); harmless

Brumation

The adult does not overwinter (it is annual); only the egg sac overwinters

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – a solitary orb-weaver; the female eats the male (sexual cannibalism)

Notes

It builds a large orb web (up to about 1 m) with a stabilimentum; it needs space and warmth; note the one-year life cycle (not a long-term animal); harmless to humans.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Lobed argiope (Argiope lobata) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi) – Intermediate
• Woodlouse spider (Dysdera crocata) – Intermediate
• Huntsman spider (Heteropoda venatoria) – Beginner
• Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) – Expert
• David Bowie huntsman spider (Heteropoda davidbowie) – Intermediate
• Tube-web spider (Segestria florentina) – Intermediate
• Raft spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) – Expert
• Segmented spider (Liphistius sp.) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Lobed argiope (Argiope lobata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a tall, roomy enclosure ~40×40×60 cm with anchor points for the orb web), substrate (Dry (sand or soil) with dry vegetation and branches for web-building), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.