The Yellow Garden Spider is one of the most spectacular and familiar orb weavers in North America, with vivid yellow-and-black markings and the characteristic zigzag stabilimentum woven into the center of her large, perfect spiral web. The function of the stabilimentum is debated — it may attract prey, provide camouflage, or warn birds. Large females can reach 1.5 inches and hang head-down in the web hub.
Best time to see a Yellow Garden Spider
The best time to see a Yellow Garden Spider is July–September, when about 75% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 91,462 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Yellow Garden Spider? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Yellow Garden Spider sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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