this spider has been photographed on its web using ultraviolet light special filters on the camera eliminate visible wavelengths. the spider has woven a conspicuous zig-zag pattern of silk,
called a stabilimentum, in the centre of its web.
there are several theories as to why spiders make these structures. one is that they make the web more visible and so less likely to be damaged by birds and large insects flying into it inadvertently. the spider belongs to the genus argiope, a member of the garden spider family,
which lives in warm temperate regions. the actual lenght of the spider's body is about 8 millimetres.