Banded garden spider (Argiope trifasciata)
The banded garden spider is a spider in the family Araneidae that is not dangerous to people. GBIF holds 1,972 licensed U.S. records of it; it reaches our listing threshold in 48 states, most of all California (289), Texas (213) and Ohio (145). Its observation records peak in September.
Argiope trifasciata (the banded garden spider or banded orb weaving spider) is a species of spider native to North and South America, but now found around the world. They typically begin to appear during autumn from early September to late October as temperatures start dropping. In Egypt, the type locality of this spider, females were found surviving the relatively warm winter months.
From Wikipedia: Argiope trifasciata, text under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is the banded garden spider poisonous or venomous?
Not in any medically significant way. Like almost all spiders the banded garden spider (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 banded garden spider?
Records are spread over 48 states; the top three, California, Texas and Ohio, hold 33% of them. It is the most recorded spider of all in South Dakota.
| # | State | Records | Share of state spiders | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 289 | 0.6% | 30th of 309 |
| 2 | Texas | 213 | 0.7% | 24th of 386 |
| 3 | Ohio | 145 | 2.1% | 11th of 332 |
| 4 | Illinois | 138 | 0.7% | 16th of 243 |
| 5 | Florida | 107 | 0.9% | 19th of 237 |
| 6 | Virginia | 87 | 0.8% | 32nd of 176 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 68 | 2.3% | 9th of 145 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 63 | 2.0% | 4th of 149 |
| 9 | New York | 54 | 0.9% | 29th of 149 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 52 | 0.7% | 30th of 164 |
| 11 | Indiana | 49 | 1.1% | 16th of 133 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 47 | 1.0% | 26th of 189 |
| 13 | Colorado | 45 | 1.1% | 16th of 378 |
| 14 | Montana | 44 | 2.0% | 7th of 75 |
| 15 | Georgia | 41 | 0.6% | 34th of 186 |
| 16 | Oklahoma | 37 | 0.7% | 32nd of 149 |
| 17 | Utah | 37 | 1.5% | 12th of 97 |
| 18 | Kansas | 33 | 2.0% | 9th of 94 |
| 19 | Vermont | 33 | 2.1% | 12th of 74 |
| 20 | Maryland | 27 | 0.5% | 49th of 153 |
| 21 | North Carolina | 27 | 0.3% | 61st of 184 |
| 22 | Hawaii | 26 | 0.5% | 27th of 57 |
| 23 | Missouri | 26 | 1.1% | 20th of 117 |
| 24 | New Mexico | 25 | 1.0% | 10th of 247 |
| 25 | Nebraska | 23 | 1.8% | 9th of 71 |
| 26 | South Dakota | 23 | 12.0% | 1st of 29 |
| 27 | Iowa | 22 | 3.2% | 5th of 57 |
| 28 | Michigan | 22 | 0.9% | 26th of 122 |
| 29 | Arizona | 21 | 0.4% | 25th of 162 |
| 30 | Nevada | 18 | 3.4% | 8th of 47 |
| 31 | Oregon | 17 | 0.6% | 30th of 88 |
| 32 | Washington | 14 | 0.4% | 48th of 157 |
| 33 | West Virginia | 14 | 1.8% | 15th of 90 |
| 34 | Kentucky | 13 | 0.7% | 39th of 103 |
| 35 | Maine | 12 | 1.3% | 22nd of 297 |
| 36 | North Dakota | 11 | 12.9% | 2nd of 115 |
| 37 | South Carolina | 9 | 0.4% | 53rd of 121 |
| 38 | Connecticut | 7 | 0.7% | 30th of 86 |
| 39 | Tennessee | 7 | 0.2% | 76th of 138 |
| 40 | New Jersey | 5 | 0.2% | 80th of 127 |
| 41 | New Hampshire | 4 | 0.3% | 50th of 72 |
| 42 | Arkansas | 3 | 0.2% | 82nd of 114 |
| 43 | Delaware | 3 | 0.1% | 63rd of 71 |
| 44 | Idaho | 3 | 0.6% | 26th of 56 |
| 45 | Mississippi | 3 | 0.2% | 72nd of 117 |
| 46 | Alabama | 2 | 0.1% | 107th of 143 |
| 47 | Wyoming | 2 | 0.9% | 11th of 68 |
| 48 | Rhode Island | 1 | 0.6% | 29th of 53 |
When is the banded garden spider seen?
Across the U.S., observation records of the banded garden spider run mostly July through November, peaking in September with 40% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 4% of them.
Season by state
Observation records run through most of the year in Florida. Among states whose main season falls within one calendar year, it starts earliest in June (Texas) and latest in August (California, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio and 3 more). The most common peak month is September, shared by Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York and 5 more.
| State | Main season | Peak month | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | August through November | October | 275 |
| Texas | June through November | October | 210 |
| Ohio | August through October | September | 145 |
| Florida | most of the year | December | 104 |
| Virginia | August through October | September | 87 |
| Minnesota | concentrated in August and September | — | 68 |
| Illinois | August through October | September | 67 |
| Wisconsin | concentrated in August and September | — | 63 |
| New York | August through October | September | 54 |
| Pennsylvania | August through October | September | 50 |
| Massachusetts | August through October | September | 47 |
| Colorado | July through September | September | 44 |
| Montana | concentrated in August and September | — | 42 |
| Georgia | July through November | October | 41 |
| Indiana | July through October | September | 41 |
| Utah | July through October | September | 34 |
| Vermont | August through October | September | 33 |
| Kansas | August through October | September | 32 |
Where the banded garden spider is recorded in each state
California
California holds 289 licensed records, the 30th most recorded of 309 spiders listed there. Its observation records in California run mostly August through November, peaking in October; most licensed records come from San Diego County, Los Angeles County and Orange County. Next come San Luis Obispo County (26) and Ventura County (22).
Texas
Texas holds 213 licensed records, the 24th most recorded of 386 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Texas run mostly June through November, peaking in October; most licensed records come from Lubbock County, Dallas County and Travis County. Next come Tarrant County (10) and Edwards County (10).
Ohio
Ohio holds 145 licensed records, the 11th most recorded of 332 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Ohio run mostly August through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Montgomery County, Erie County and Summit County. Next come Lucas County (9) and Richland County (8).
Illinois
Illinois holds 138 licensed records, the joint 16th most recorded of 243 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Illinois run mostly August through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Champaign County, Marion County and Cook County. Next come Jo Daviess County (14) and Winnebago County (11).
Florida
Florida holds 107 licensed records, the 19th most recorded of 237 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in December; most licensed records come from Miami-Dade County, Broward County and Alachua County. Next come Osceola County (7) and Collier County (6).
Virginia
Virginia holds 87 licensed records, the joint 32nd most recorded of 176 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Virginia run mostly August through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Hanover County, Montgomery County and Fairfax County. Next come Galax (5) and Prince William County (4).
Minnesota
Minnesota holds 68 licensed records, the 9th most recorded of 145 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Minnesota are concentrated in August and September (94% of them); most licensed records come from Hennepin County, Stevens County and Grant County. Next come Ramsey County (6) and Big Stone County (5).
Wisconsin
Wisconsin holds 63 licensed records, the 4th most recorded of 149 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Wisconsin are concentrated in August and September (95% of them); most licensed records come from Dane County, Grant County and Jefferson County. Next come Brown County (5) and Calumet County (4).
New York
New York holds 54 licensed records, the joint 29th most recorded of 149 spiders listed there. Its observation records in New York run mostly August through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Tompkins County, Westchester County and Broome County. Next come Monroe County (3) and Seneca County (3).
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania holds 52 licensed records, the 30th most recorded of 164 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Pennsylvania run mostly August through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Allegheny County, Westmoreland County and Butler County. Next come Bedford County (4) and Somerset County (3).
Indiana
Indiana holds 49 licensed records, the 16th most recorded of 133 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Indiana run mostly July through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Lake County, Tippecanoe County and Greene County. Next come Monroe County (4) and Hamilton County (3).
Massachusetts
Massachusetts holds 47 licensed records, the 26th most recorded of 189 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Massachusetts run mostly August through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Barnstable County, Hampden County and Worcester County. Next come Essex County (7) and Bristol County (3).
Colorado
Colorado holds 45 licensed records, the 16th most recorded of 378 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Colorado run mostly July through September, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Boulder County, El Paso County and Larimer County. Next come Jefferson County (4) and Denver County (2).
Montana
Montana holds 44 licensed records, the 7th most recorded of 75 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Montana are concentrated in August and September (90% of them); most licensed records come from Fergus County, Missoula County and Yellowstone County. Next come Petroleum County (3) and Chouteau County (3).
Georgia
Georgia holds 41 licensed records, the joint 34th most recorded of 186 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Georgia run mostly July through November, peaking in October; most licensed records come from Clarke County, Greene County and Oconee County. Next come Oglethorpe County (4) and Rockdale County (3).
Oklahoma
Oklahoma holds 37 licensed records, the 32nd most recorded of 149 spiders listed there. Most of its licensed records in Oklahoma come from Cleveland County, Woodward County and Osage County. Next come Comanche County (2) and Adair County (2).
Utah
Utah holds 37 licensed records, the 12th most recorded of 97 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Utah run mostly July through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Washington County, Tooele County and Grand County. Next come San Juan County (2) and Utah County (2).
Kansas
Kansas holds 33 licensed records, the 9th most recorded of 94 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Kansas run mostly August through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Douglas County, Morris County and Cheyenne County. Next come Barton County (2) and Russell County (2).
Vermont
Vermont holds 33 licensed records, the 12th most recorded of 74 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Vermont run mostly August through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Chittenden County, Addison County and Bennington County. Next come Windsor County (3) and Caledonia County (3).
Top counties in the U.S.
| # | County | State | Records | Share of U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego County | California | 39 | 2.0% |
| 2 | Los Angeles County | California | 32 | 1.6% |
| 3 | Orange County | California | 28 | 1.4% |
| 4 | San Luis Obispo County | California | 26 | 1.3% |
| 5 | Ventura County | California | 22 | 1.1% |
| 6 | Miami-Dade County | Florida | 22 | 1.1% |
| 7 | Hanover County | Virginia | 22 | 1.1% |
| 8 | Champaign County | Illinois | 21 | 1.1% |
| 9 | Fergus County | Montana | 19 | 1.0% |
| 10 | Contra Costa County | California | 17 | 0.9% |
| 11 | Marion County | Illinois | 17 | 0.9% |
| 12 | Lubbock County | Texas | 17 | 0.9% |
| 13 | Dallas County | Texas | 17 | 0.9% |
| 14 | Santa Clara County | California | 16 | 0.8% |
| 15 | Sonoma County | California | 16 | 0.8% |
How recent are the banded garden spider records?
Most of what is known about the banded garden spider is recent: 85% of dated U.S. records were made in 2017–2026, and half date from 2022 or later. The oldest dated record is from 1906; the busiest year was 2025, with 295 records.
| Decade | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 1 | 0.0% |
| 1920s | 7 | 0.3% |
| 1930s | 7 | 0.3% |
| 1940s | 6 | 0.3% |
| 1950s | 3 | 0.1% |
| 1960s | 6 | 0.3% |
| 1970s | 2 | 0.1% |
| 1980s | 8 | 0.4% |
| 1990s | 54 | 2.7% |
| 2000s | 39 | 1.9% |
| 2010s | 452 | 22.6% |
| 2020s | 1,416 | 70.8% |
Species recorded in the same counties
Of the 267 counties where the banded garden spider is most recorded, 142 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 | 142 |
| Black-and-yellow argiope | 125 |
| Spotted orbweaver | 92 |
| Familiar jumping spider | 89 |
| Arabesque orbweaver | 88 |
| Zebra spider | 87 |
| Nursery web spider | 86 |
| Parson spider | 84 |
Related species in the U.S.
Other species of the genus Argiope with profiles here: Black-and-yellow argiope, Silver argiope and Banana spider.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.