Can someone ID this spider?

[BlackDusk]

We found this spider in our backyard, in our orange tree. The web it spun is huge. Now I live in a small island in Europe, and I've never seen a spider like this here - we normally get small jumping spiders or daddy-long legs. The Spider itself is about 3-4 inches long, and the abdomen looks like a chinese lantern with zebra stripes. Are these common in Europe?

(Sorry for the blurry pics, but I had to use full zoom because the spider was too high for me to reach)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/DemonCobra/spider3.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/DemonCobra/spider1.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/DemonCobra/spider2.gif

[problemchildx]

First off, welcome to AB!

What a beauty you found!

This would be my best bet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argiope_%28spider%29
or a St. Andrew Cross spider or summat.

-Regards

[BlackDusk]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply. From the link, the closest I could map this spider to was the A. Lobata (although with different colourings and markings):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Argiope_Lobata.jpg

When we first discovered it, it was spinning a web around a huge dragonfly. Needless to say, the dragonfly was gone by the day after :P

[problemchildx]

No problem, I would love to have an "outdoor spider pet" which I'm sure you could claim this for :D


Also, which island in Europe? Usually islands like yours have lots of species crawling around I couldn't dream of. ;)

[BlackDusk]

I live in Malta
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta

It's true, we have loads of species of bugs and 'creepy crawlies', but I've never seen "big" spiders.

We like to call it our pet, even when talking about it with my friends. I'm going to miss it when it's gone :(

[problemchildx]

Wow sounds like a wonderful place, hopefully I can travel there someday.
I love areas with a lot of history, and I didn't know it was the smallest EU country in size and population.

BTW for anyone that is interested http://www.tarantulaspiders.com/product/argiope-lobata-lobed-argiope-captive-born

[BlackDusk]

I'm almost positive now that the spider is an A. Lobata, because of the abdomen shape. Thanks problem child :)

EDIT: Apparently these spiders are not as rare as I thought they were! Here's a list of the wild life found in Malta, 2nd row from the top is an A. Lobata.
http://www.maltawildplants.com/WildNature.php

[problemchildx]

Wow what a diverse community of wildlife you guys have!

I was immediately attracted to http://www.maltawildplants.com/!gfx/Nature/maltawildlife.php?species=Synaema%20globosum&ext=&type=female

I've been wondering if any of these are over here, you guys are lucky ;)

:drool: