Banded Garden Spider

Sun-drenched fields, tall grass, gardens, and meadows across North and South America

Carnivorous; feeds on flying insects such as grasshoppers, flies, moths, and wasps caught in its web

Diurnal web-builders that create large orb webs with a distinctive zigzag silk pattern called a stabilimentum. They sit head-down in the center of the web waiting for prey.

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pest populations. Generally harmless to humans; they are non-aggressive and their venom is not medically significant, though a bite may cause mild swelling.