It's an Orb Weaver! They are also called Banana Spiders in some places. They're good to have around for eating pests (sometimes even mice if the spider is big enough). My dad used to catch them as a kid so I don't think they'll bite. There was a female that made her web across an aisle at the local nursery a few years back; I bet she was 6 inches across. Sooooo pretty....

Abby

I encourage the Orb Spiders to live in my garden. they actually will learn not to weave across paths or other places if the web gets broken often enough. I have probably 8 or 10 in the garden now. When full grown they can take down about anything from a giant grasshopper to a cicada. that is a female. The male is very small and will live on the same web, but very discretely, lest he becomes dinner too. They lay eggs in a brown round web-bag in the fall and hatch out in the spring.

Golden Garden spider.

-O-

6 inches across! Wow! I hope they don't eat hummingbirds. :( Don't tell me--don't want to know. I think I heard something like that a while ago but put it out of my mind.

I have a few of those in my garden too. Now I know the name. I
think they are pretty.

My favorite spider and friend to gardeners.

Here is a link that might be useful: black and yellow garden spider

Does anyone know how to attract these to a garden? I've only had one female that hung out in my black eyed susans a few years ago. I'd love to have more around; they make wonderful photography subjects. I'd trade someone a few of my cicaida killers for a few spiders. Lol

Abby

They are plentiful near ponds with trees and bushes. I could find at least a dozen at one local pond.

this particular one aparently loves tomatoes - maybe its the tomato worms he is after?

Sunsi - I don't know if the spiders can eat a hummingbird but I've heard of a praying mantis eating one before. Those are some vicious insects, I have one or two somewhere around the garden at home but I haven't seen them lately.

I think praying mantis are so interesting and intelligent looking. I have had one turn its head and look at me like it might be capable of thinking.

catman, I've seen one or two praying mantis around our yard since we've lived here but we have many, many hummingbirds and enjoy watching them. Needless to say, I'd freak if I saw once being eaten by a mantis. I do like the mantis too because they are so interesting to observe.

Golden Garden Spider,,, beautiful artistry in her web.

I have not known that spiders of this/similar kinds to do any harm in the garden. Probably they are friend, as the catch insects like mosquitoes. An some of them weave beautiful/amazing webs in couple of hours.

Sey