Black and Yellow Argiope....I have tons of them!

They really know how to keep the grasshoppers in check!

I actually will "protect" their egg sacs during the winter months....payed off, the population tripled since last year...

Check out this Banded Argiope that I found last year....

Wow,
that is also a Beauty..Here in Florida we have almost everything but I am just so stunned with that spider in my garden..
She is still there and I am looking for her mate, but haven't seen him yet..
Greetings
Susanne(SUE)

Just think, when you run into a spider in the woods, you might be thinking "Holy crap! A spider the size of my thumb!"

While they might be thinking "Holy crap! A human that's 100 times my size that can squish me before s/he sees me!"

Be thankful your insects have some color. Most of ours in Michigan are shades of brown, a few in shades of green, and very rarely, other colors.

As you probably know, the male is much smaller than the female, and not brightly colored. He may even be brown. Male spiders die soon after mating, so you may have even missed him!

I actually saw one male this year...his web was positioned askew to two females....yes they are MUCH smaller....he is gone now...must have done his job!

Most people think I am crazy to protect these spiders, but I have to tell you, they just don't cause any problems...

They noticeably reduce the grasshopper population.
They don't come in my house.
They rarely set up shop in an unfavorable spot (and if they do, I politely relocate them).
They are not agressive.
They hardly ever move from their web.
They usually stay put...you know where to find their webs.
They appreciate the occasional hand fed meal.

I should go around and do a "head count"...wish I could find more Bandeds....wonder if they don't like being close to houses...