Orchard Orbweaver

Description:

A medium-sized spider, maybe 1" across. Scurries very quickly away if the least bit disturbed. Very non-agressive. Bulbous, oval-shaped abdomen has red towards the end, and yellow stripes on the side. Rest of abdomen is patterned with white spots. Orb-shaped web is almost horizontal, with the spider hanging underneath it. It was hung between two branches in an oak tree, and was about 1.5 feet across.... not terribly huge like a banana spider's. Silk was still quite strong, however. (I got my camera lens in it!)

Habitat:

Upland oak hammock (not a mesic hammock). Silver River State Park, Sinkhole trail. Shady area.