Name that spider!

[DeepDishChix]

I found this spider in my tomato plants, and I don't know if I should kill it, since it could be dangerous. Can you guys help me? (You can enlarge the picture if you need to)

 

[TheSassyChick]

Type of orb weaver spider, gets pretty large, never had any problem with them

 

[Peaches Lee]

I'd leave it be for now, it may be eating pests that would otherwise bother your tomato plants....

 

[barredisland]

Looks like a silk or banana spider

 

[sourland]

I believe that it is a golden orb weaver - far more likely to do good than harm.

 

[Michael OShay]

I believe that it is a golden orb weaver - far more likely to do good than harm.

I agree with sourland's identification. It will not harm you and it will help rid your garden of insect pests so I would let it be.

 

[drumstick diva]

Never saw a spider like that, I would just give it a wide berth, wouldn't want it leaping at my throat.

 

[chiques chicks]

I agree with the above identifications and agree, leave it be. Very beneficial. Generally seen in the fall.

 

[liz72703]

Yellow Garden Spiders are common where I live. Here's more about it. They do get pretty large so they kinda freak me out personally.

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/black_and_yellow_argiope.htm


Liz

 

[Tumbling K]

ahh, the old writing spider, or banana spider.

good one, not at all aggressive, we have them all over down here.

one of our favorite summer times games, out in the country, was to ride your bike down the dirt road, with a fishing dip net, and catch dragon flies. Then you'd throw the dragon fly in that spider's web, and watch the spider wrap it up.