Can anyone identify this thing?

[MorrisMcD]

I saw this thing and had to do a double take.. Its huge... Well.. Its not huge, but I would say its about 3 inches long and I typically dont see anything that big around my house...

It is dangerous?

Just as some help, I noticed the web had a thick line down the middle from top to bottom.. I tossed a stick into the web and it just stuck there...

Thanks in advance if any of you know what this monster is.

 

[Python]

looks like an argiope to me. Nice spider but I wouldn't worry about it, they are pretty much harmless just don't get into the web.

 

[Peter_Parker]

Probably argriope aurantia. Its not dangerously venomous, but I heard the bite hurts. It's pretty passive though, I guess you'd have to actually fondle it to get bitten. A cool spider though

 

[MorrisMcD]

Thanks for the info people... Nice board here by the way...



I think you guys are right too...

I found this and it looks pretty much the same except mine is white, not yellow... My three year old was terrified when it started moving.. its a damn quick spider

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...refox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official_s&sa=N

 

[vulpina]

Yes, definitely Argiope aurantia, I have a large one in my wifes flower bed outside.

Andy

 

[Tony]

I will say this about Argiope..Me and a friend collected a bunch two years ago, and the best method I had that prevented them from dropping into the tall grass, was to Cup them with both hands, on the web..Never got bit, but they sure tickled trying to get out....Works for me, at least
Tony