Template:POTD/2020-03-04
Argiope pulchella is a species of orb-weaving spider belonging to the family Araneidae, native to India and south-eastern Asia. This picture, taken in the Indian state of Kerala, shows a female A. pulchella spider in the middle of its web, with a male visible above it on the right. The male is "shuddering", vibrating the web as part of a courtship ritual, with males that shudder at high rates for long periods being preferred by the female to those with lesser skills; such activity may also reduce the likelihood that the male will be cannibalised by the female after mating. A zig-zag stabilimentum, a form of web decoration whose function is not precisely known, can be seen at the bottom right of the photograph.Photograph credit: Jeevan Jose