One of Kentucky’s largest spiders is an orb weaver called the Black and Yellow Argiope, Argiope aurantia, pictured below. Commonly called “garden spiders,” these orb weavers can be almost 3 inches long from leg tip to leg tip. Argiope spiders are very common in backyard gardens, and have given a fright to many a homeowner. Although they are large and intimidating, their bite is only dangerous to people who experience severe allergic reactions to insect and spider bites. The picture below was sent to us by Mindy Crosby from Louisville, KY.
Argiope spiders are also called “writing spiders” because of the bold zigzag pattern that they build into their web.