A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2007 Argiope aurantia Pics

Hello peoples. I actually took these pictures in my veggie garden last year. I didn't know this Critter Corner forum existed. So even though these are not brand new, I'd like to share them with you.

First of all, you gotta understand that I am deathly scared of any and all insects. Especially the insects that can jump far or fly. I'm so scared of insects that I get really nervous around even butterflies. And ladybugs, yeah scared of them too.

Every other other other blue moon I can muster up the courage to snap a picture. I don't own a zoom lens yet so I literally have to get very close to my subject I'm photographing.

Anywho, last year, in my veggie garden I found this spider. I'v seen them before but not this close and I never knew what kind it was. I took the pics and then googled it. This spider is an Argiope aurantia. Commonly known as the Golden Orb Spider or the Golden Garden Spider. I like how, as one of it's defense mechanisms, it will bounce back and forth on it's web. One of the sites I read, it said this spider is harmless. I think I'll still keep my distance! So here's the pics I took.







Hope you enjoyed!

Very cool spider, Thank you for sharing it.

Thank you! I love his coloration. Though, if he came near me or, heven forbid, TOUCHED me!!! Oh, I would sooooooo totally freak out! Lol.

Hi there,
I also had several garden spiders living around our house. One on the porch, that I would watch each morning. The are very large, but beautiful to watch!!

It is really pretty, and like you, I'd keep my distance too

I've had some of those too. And like you googled it. I was glad to fnd out it was harmless. I like their zigzag silk.

We have those spiders here too! I first time I saw it I freaked out because it was so big! Last summer we had 2, one on each corner of the house. Maybe this year we'll have more than that. I watched one wrap up and eat a wasp...it was cool. I tried to take pictures but the cheap camera I have couldn't focus on it.