Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope Aurantia)
A black and yellow garden spider common to North & Central America and Hawaii. They often build webs up to 2 feet in diameter in areas adjacent to open fields. This one was found in a riparian area along the Spring Creek Nature Trail in The Woodlands, Texas. They are not aggressive and their venom to humans is similar to the affects of a bee sting. Their venom contains toxins with potential as therapeutic medicinal agents.
