I spied Argiope aurantia in the rosemary today, a.k.a. Black & Yellow Garden Spider or Writing Spider. This is the female of the species.
They are not dangerous to humans, although their size may cause one to pause, up to 3 inches counting the legs. Their webs are circular with the characteristic zig-zag near the center, called a stabilimentum. No one knows exactly what it is for, though speculation ranges from bird deterrent, to camouflage, to prey attractant.
The female aurantia tends to spend her entire life in one area. Funny I have never seen her before. She eats the center part of her web and rebuilds it anew every day.
I hope she eats mosquitoes.
Tomato Lady
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At our house we admire the spiders too. We never touch but appreciate their eating the insects and are always amazed at their webs. I grew up never killing spiders but rather putting a cup over them, sliding a piece of paper under them and releasing them outside. My daughter does the same now. Beautiful picture of the spider.
I like your "catch & release" policy. And that you have passed it on. Thanks so much for stopping by!