Yellow garden spider (black-and-yellow argiope)

Sunny, open areas with tall vegetation, gardens, grasslands, and around buildings; it builds webs several feet above ground.

It captures flies, grasshoppers, bees, and other flying or jumping insects in its orb web, then immobilizes them with silk and venom.

Mostly active by day, it often rests at the web’s center in a zigzag silk pattern called a stabilimentum. Adults appear in summer and fall; females produce egg sacs before dying after the first severe frost.

Venom is medically mild, and bites are uncommon, usually causing temporary local pain or swelling. It is beneficial because it naturally controls many garden and household insect pests.