Garden Orb Weaver
Argiope aurantia
Also known as: Yellow Garden Spider, Writing Spider, Zipper Spider
The Garden Orb Weaver is a large, strikingly colored spider that builds impressive circular webs in gardens, meadows, and around home exteriors. The prominent zigzag pattern in the center of the web is called a stabilimentum. Despite their size and vivid coloring, they are completely harmless to humans.
Identification
Size
14-28 mm (female body)
Color
Black and bright yellow markings on the abdomen; silvery cephalothorax
Key Trait
Large, striking black and yellow coloring; builds large circular webs with a distinctive zigzag stabilimentum (zipper pattern).
Behavior & Habitat
Sedentary web-builder that sits in the center of its large orb web waiting for flying insects. Vibrates the web rapidly when threatened. Rebuilds the web each morning if damaged.
Habitat: Gardens, flower beds, tall grass, hedges, and around exterior walls and windows. Builds webs in open areas where flying insects pass.
Diet: Flying insects including grasshoppers, flies, wasps, and beetles caught in the web.
Signs of Infestation
- Large circular webs with a zigzag pattern in gardens or around doors
- Large black and yellow spider sitting in the center of its web
Risks & Damage
Large webs across pathways and near doors can be inconvenient, but the spider is completely harmless and very beneficial.
Prevention Tips
- 1.Relocate webs that are in inconvenient locations
- 2.No treatment is needed - these are highly beneficial garden spiders
Why DIY Treatment Often Falls Short
Treatment is inappropriate for garden orb weavers. They are among the most beneficial spiders, consuming large numbers of pest insects.
Professional Treatment
Professional treatment is not recommended. If web placement is problematic, physically relocating the spider is the appropriate action.
Related Pests
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the garden orb weaver venomous?
What is the zigzag pattern in the web?
Do they come back to the same spot?
Need Help With Garden orb weaver?
If you're seeing signs of garden orb weaver in or around your home, professional treatment is the fastest way to stop the problem. Lotus Pest Control offers free inspections to identify the issue and recommend the right solution.
At a Glance
- Category
- Spiders
- Scientific Name
- Argiope aurantia
- Size
- 14-28 mm (female body)
- Color
- Black and bright yellow markings on the abdomen; silvery cephalothorax
- Key Trait
- Large, striking black and yellow coloring; builds large circular webs with a distinctive zigzag stabilimentum (zipper pattern).
- Regions
- Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, South Central
- Threat Level
- Very Low
- Risk Types
- nuisance
- Seasonal Activity
- MarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebnonelowmoderatehighpeak