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Orb Weavers Are Garden Friends
Story By Pamela B. King
Charles County Extension Agent
webspider
Photo by Carole W. Butler

The spider pictured above is a Black and Yellow Argiope, a garden-dwelling orb weaver. These are big (about 1 inch long), conspicuous spiders that hang head down in the center of their large, beautiful webs.

The web usually has crossed zigzag bands. Interestingly, young spiders may construct more zigzags than the adults. This species is easily recognized by the showy color and pattern.

In general, spiders are amazing, beneficial organisms. All spiders eat insects that could damage crops or cause other problems for humans. They can all spin silk and some, like this garden orb weaver, can weave the silk into intricate, delicate webs. One web might have miles of silk.

Many spiders have interesting body shapes and colorful patterns. Some, like the wolf spider, care for their young and carry them on their backs to help them get off to a good start.

Spiders often get a bad reputation because a few spiders have venom strong enough to be dangerous to people. All spiders have venom. They need it to kill their prey.  However, few spiders will bite, unless they feel seriously threatened.

Some people may have an allergic reaction to the venom of a spider bite, while others may not. In the United States many more people become seriously ill from wasp and bee stings than from spider bites.

The Black Widow is the only dangerously poisonous spider found in Maryland, and it is very common. They are about ½ inch long with a beautiful, shiny black body and a large, round abdomen with a bright red hourglass on the belly.

Black Widows are not aggressive, and prefer to live in places where they will not be disturbed, like sheds and woodpiles. They will bite when touched or pressed, so one should be careful when working in areas where these spiders may live. Just take simple precautions-wear gloves and watch what you are doing-and bites can almost always be prevented.

For more information, contact Marcia A. Wakefield

Last updated: 07/13/2009