What is a yellow and black spider called?

Question

I have never seen this spider ever before. It was quite large and very creepy. My friend killed it. I didn't want him to be bitten, but he took that chance. I didn't want to get any closer than to it.

Answer 1

There are several species of black and yellow spiders.  My guess is that it was a Golden Orb Weaver if it was in a web.  They are harmless.  They just look mean.  Check out the photo below.    

Answer 2

Learn to ID  it with the help of these sites and even if you do not find what you are looking for you will be able to ID any bug in the future -

http://bugguide.net/node/view/1954

http://www.arachnology.be/pages/Pictures...

http://www.spideridentification.org/

Instead of killing use this tool to catch spiders -

Spider and Insect Catch and Release Tool

http://www.smarthome.com/61181.html

You can remove a spider from inside your house by putting a jar over it. Then slip a piece of paper under the jar so that the opening is sealed, pick up the jar, and take the spider outside.

A broom is also a useful tool for moving a spider outside.

Chemicals Are Ineffective

Using a pesticide is not a good solution to spider problems. "Insecticides will not provide long-term control" of spiders, according to the University of California, "and should not generally be used against spiders outdoors." Inside, "control by spraying is only temporary unless accompanied by housekeeping."

Washington State University Extension has a similar perspective: "Most spider problems can be solved without the use of chemicals." -

Preventing Spider Problems

There are many ways to make your home less appealing to spiders. If there are cracks in your foundation or around windows and doors, seal them up.

Check places where water pipes and electrical lines enter your house, and caulk any openings.

Keep woodpiles and debris away from your house.

In storage areas, put boxes up off the floor and away from walls.

Seal boxes with tape to keep spiders from living inside them. In general, cleaning up clutter will mean you have fewer spiders.

Pruning vegetation away from your house and keeping the area next to the foundation clear will also make your house less attractive to spiders.

Outdoor lighting sometimes attracts insects, which in turn attracts spiders. You can move outdoor lighting away from windows and doors if this is a problem around your home. - http://www.pesticide.org/spiders.html

Answer 3

A monster

:]

Answer 4

don't know sorry

Answer 5

Theyre called an " I wouldnt touch that" spider. I've seen them before too, they look nasty.

Answer 6

don't know where you live. i live in jacksonville, florida and have one of the ones in the 2nd picture living outside. i like it b/c it keeps the insects from flying around my front door at night.

http://images.ask.com/pictures?q=Black+A...

Answer 7

Maybe an argiope...completely harmless, as MOST spiders are.  Get over it and stop killing poor innocent spiders.