oh no the banana spider.

Looks a lot like a Garden Spider to me, here they're called "Writing spiders" (No, don't ask me why- I've never heard the explanation). I make sure to leave them alone and their egg sacs too- I want them to eat up all the bad bugs in my garden. Very nice pic. Brandy

We have one of those on the walk to my dd's elementary school. It's a good 2" long so the kids walk by and check it out every morning and afternoon. It's very pretty!

Yes, I'm sure Mr/Ms Spider wants to eat up other bugs in the garden.

I don't know if I mentioned how much I love those spiders!
I always try to throw a bug into their web for them so that they will get fat and happy and have lots of babies so that maybe the grasshopper population around here will go down!
For those of you who have never done it, throw a bug on there and watch the spider's reaction. It's better than anything you'll ever see on TV.
Carrie

I get those spiders in my yard. I didn't know they were banana spiders. They make an enormous web over my koi pond. I certainly do love spiders. I do have to be cautious around some areas because of the black widows. They're beautiful, but I've heard they can get you rather sick. FWIW the squiggly zig zag design in the middle of the web is caused a "stabilamentum" (sp?)... and, it's still uncertain as to why some spiders make them and others don't...I did a paper on this back in undergrad.

Robert

That's what we call a garden spider. Here's a banana spider (not my photo).
{{gwi:304848}}

Sorry Lisa, that is not a Banana Spider...I have always heard them called 'Orb Spiders'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argiope_aurantia
so a garden spider, is in the same family, as an orb spider.

Well.. as long as he stays where he is, he'll be fine. I hope DH doesn't find him. :D

I'm with your DH ... where's the Raid?

Randy

Melva, orb spiders are spiders that weave orb webs. It's a generic term that covers banana spiders (aka golden silk orb-weavers), the common garden spider, and thousands of other species.

Here is a link that might be useful: Orb-weaver spider

The name "Writing Spider" must come from the squiggly band in the web. It does look sort of like lettering, but spiders don't use the Roman alphabet.

Check it out! I saw your spider on TV!

Here is a link that might be useful: Spiders on CNN

I know many don't like spiders, wasps, or preying mantises, but they are truly beneficial in the garden. They eat the grashoppers that devour my roses, leaves, and stems. Plus they are so cool looking!!

Msjam, I'll give the banana spider a home.

Carrie, what justice to see those rose destroyers getting the death they deserve.