In colder climates, the Argiope spider lives a little over one year.

In warmer climates they may live for several years.

Males probably die after mating in their first year.

It take a few hours to build a web.

Argiope spiders add a zig-zagging portion called "stabilimentum" to their web which is often eaten and then rebuilt each night

Like other orb-weavers (below)

the argiope has three claws per foot,

one more than most spiders. 

 They use this third claw to help handle the threads while spinning.  Its venomous bite immobilizes prey caught in its web.