What kind of spider is this?

[City of Mills]

Any guesses? Spotted this rather interesting specimen while hiking in Odiorne Point State Park in Rye NH.


Hanging out by the ocean...


And a closeup...

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Could this be it? Interesting pattern...

Marbled Orb Weaver
http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Marbled-Orb-Weaver



on edit: nope, yours has black legs... :(

[El Supremo]

2. St. Andrews Cross

Venom toxicity - the bite of the St Andrews Cross is of low risk (non-toxic) to humans. They are a non-aggressive group of spiders.

http://www.termite.com/spider-identification.html#standrewscross

[Avalux]

3. That's a garden spider - they weave beautiful giant webs.

I love spiders and this is one of my favorites; not poisonous. :hi:

[City of Mills]

4. Very cool!

He looked pretty happy with his selection of prime real estate :)

[Skittles]

5. in Texas we call them Zipper spiders

http://www.treklens.com/gallery/North_America/United_States/photo15660.htm

[City of Mills]

6. Looks about right

And it looks like 'he' is most likely a 'she' :)

[Skittles]

8. the big gal will be center of the web

her little tiny man will be banished to the corner of the web; yes INDEED

[applegrove]

7. That is a BUTT- UGLY spider. LOL!

[City of Mills]

9. Confirmed: Black And Yellow Argiope Spider

Also known as the "Black And Yellow Garden Spider" or "Writing Spider"...

From http://www.nhaudubon.org/atn_spiders.html

The Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). This large (one inch) spider has silvery hairs on her head and thorax and a large black abdomen with striking yellow or orange markings. The legs are long and hairy and are black with yellow bands. It is one of the orb weavers which means it weaves the kind of traditional web most of us picture in our minds when we think of spiders. The web is large, about twelve inches in diameter and is usually constructed among plants in a sheltered, sunny spot. The center of the web has a distinctive zigzag pattern and the spider herself is usually found, head down, in that area.


Avalux and Skittles nailed it!

Thanks!