looked like the kind that would be better to me dead....
I don't like spiders.
I don't like spiders.
Just like June bugs, this spider will make you hurt yourself.
Not all Argiope build in these "accordion" pieces of web (called a stabilimentum) - only those species that spin their webs during the day do so.
The function of stabilimenta is not really known. Could be to break up the outline of the spider, or to make the web more visible to birds and other creatures that might otherwise damage the web in passing through. The stabilimenta could also reflect more UV light, thus attracting more insects. There's a Wiki article about this here.
+1...
Someone mentioned feeding it a grasshopper or cricket. Seriously, give it a try. It is really cool to watch. They'll wrap it up like deli meat quicker than who dunnit.
That's what I have heard it was for.
Cool!! I've had one on my back porch for awhile now. Had no idea what kind of a spider it was. I leave him/her alone...figure it'll keep other bugs away.
She'll lay all her eggs in a quarter sized sack way up in the corner of the eaves somewhere and die.
I had about a dozen or so around this summer that I was feeding grasshoppers to. I think they've all died except one. Neat to have around.
