What is a yellow and black spider?

Question

There was a black and yellow large spider today. It freaked me out. I had never seen it before. I was wondering where it came from or is it poisonous?

Answer 1

If it is a rather large spider, let's say about big around as a Half-Dollar, or even bigger, and weaves a large orb web, that is a most likely a Yellow Garden Spider, (Black, and Yellow Orb weaver).  

If that is the spider you speak of...........no, it is not Venomous.  It is relatively harmless.

In fact, they are quite useful.... They eat all sorts of insects, and insects that are considered pests to us, our yards, and our gardens.  To have a little fun....and please, without overdoing it.... find a cricket, or grasshopper, and lightly toss it into the spiders web, and watch what transpires.  And, if I do happen to offend anyone about the poor little cricket/grasshopper thing...................................... get over it!!!

Answer 2

Argiope spiders are black and yellow..and harmless.  Is this your spider:

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecolog...

Also...as far as what chai said....The banana spider is a common name used for two entirely different species of spiders, the nephila clavipes of North America, and the phoneutria of Central and South America, the latter of which can be deadly.

Answer 3

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/

Answer 4

The only black and yellow spiders I know are called banana spiders. And they are VERY dangerous and poisonous. They are very common in Florida. They look like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13951861@N0...

They are very aggressive and the poison is toxic and can effect your nervous system. Supposedly the ones in North America aren't as bad (but still bad) as the other species, but I wouldn't take any chances!

~chai

Answer 5

If it has zig-zag patterns on its web, it is a writing spider. Harmless, won't hurt you. Actually pretty cool to watch if you throw a bug in its web. They are mean and huge!

Answer 6

So am I....Have never heard of colour on spider. :-O

Answer 7

Sounds like a garden spider.  They are not harmful to humans but I sure wouldn't touch it anyway.