First Record of Banded Garden Spider Argiope trifasciata Forskal, 1775 (Araneae: Araniedae) in Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

This study presented the first recorded of the banded garden spider Argiope trifasciata and    described for the first time in Baghdad city, Iraq. The specimens were collected from Al-Rashidiya sub-district north of Baghdad city on 26/ November/ 2021 (7:00 am- 6:00 pm) from fruit gardens (orange and apricot trees) and agriculture lands (palm trees, crops of wheat and vegetables). The spider "Argiope trifasciata" species is a member of the orb-weaving spider genus. It belongs to the Araniedae family, widespread worldwide, and has four pairs of long legs covered with spines and eight eyes arranged in two rows. The females of Argiope trifasciata spiders are yellow and covered with silvery and shiny hairs on the carapace that are relatively low. The abdomen of described spider is usually oval and elongated with pale yellow and black stripes. The legs are yellowish brown with dark rings.