Black-and-Yellow Argiope

Scientific name: Argiope aurantia Lucas
(Araneae: Araneidae)

Facts: The black-and-yellow argiope is a particularly attractive and large species of orb-weaving spider. It is also known as the yellow garden argiope and the "writing spider". Orb weaver spiders are some of our more conspicuous spiders. Many people think of a typical orb weaver web when they think of a spider.

Photo credit: John A. Jackman, Extension Entomology, Texas A&M University