Irridescent Orb Weaver - ID Unknown

[Taceas]

I found this beautiful thing on the side of our chicken house, in the corner between it and the pen. What caught my eye was a bright metallic orange patch on the underside of the abdomen glimmering in the sunlight. Beautiful creature.

The spider itself was about 1/2" in leg span. It had a 6-8" orb web horizontally oriented and was hanging from below. Looks like she was munching on the remnants of a small fly or gnat.

If anyone knows at least where to start looking for an ID of this thing, please let me know. I apologize in advance for the bad pics, it was hard trying to balance on one foot and tippy-toe at the same time.

Edit: I believe it to be a Mabel Orchard Spider. Any more ideas?

 

[pitbulllady]

That's a Venusta Orchard Spider, Leucauge venusta. There are thousands of them around here, though this is the first year I've really seen a lot of these. You cannot walk anywhere outside without walking into their webs! Now the Gasteracanthas are showing up, which makes any walk through a wooded area quite interesting to say the least.

pitbulllady