Yellow Garden Spider

These spiders are sometime called writing spiders due to the zigzag patterns often found in their webs.

Identification

Females can reach lengths of 19-28mm as compared to 5-8mm for males. Oval, yellow and black abdomen bears of pair of humps near the base.

Environment

This distinctive spider is often noticed because of its large size and its habit of building webs in gardens and grassy areas near houses. It is most typically found in tall grasslands. Females build large webs, up to two feet in diameter, in open areas among tall grasses and weeds, often in wet or marshy areas. They are also familiar sites around homes, in flower and vegetable gardens, in old fields, and in similar habitats

Life Cycle

Spiders reach maturity in summer. Although males build webs, after they reach maturity they wander in search of females, and they can be found in the females’ webs. Light brown, oval or spherical egg sacs up to an inch long are produced in late summer or early fall. Each sac contains up to a thousand or more eggs. Spiderlings winter over inside the sacs, and they disperse in the spring.

Health Risks

These spiders are not particularly dangerous to people, and their bites result in nothing more than a sore, itchy swelling that goes away in a few days.