IDP Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 This big beastie has just taken up residence on my back deck and so I decided to take a couple of shots of it. However, my knowledge of entomology is virtually non-existent and I wonder if any expert out there could confirm my identification as Nephila clavipes - a Banana Spider or Golden Silk Spider? It's about the size of an outspread hand and the location is central Florida. Thanks in advance Ian D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulstw Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Looks to me like a Gold Silk Orb-Weaver Spider I was so used to seeing these in Durban a few years ago that it cured my phobia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCat Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Wow. I loved the spider so decided to look at your images. None? Paulette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDP Posted October 18, 2013 Author Share Posted October 18, 2013 Thanks, Paul - that's one of the names for Nephila clavipes and so confirms my identification. Paulette, it's easy enough to see my images by doing a search of my name which is shown in my profile. I use a dormant account for the forum because I had very good reasons for not showing images from a couple of my minor pseudonyms. Ian D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Rooney Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Agh . . . don't pet it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Good job I read on. Yorkshire is too close for one of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCat Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 LOVE the spider. I'm a fan of Catherine Chalmers -- who has done a lot of work with flies, cockroaches and other "icky" creatures. This is the video that was my first introduction to her. She raises her "models". http://www.catherinechalmers.com/american-cockroach/video/safari/ Paulette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDP Posted October 18, 2013 Author Share Posted October 18, 2013 Yep, you're correct. I photographed them in Costa Rica. Name: Golden silk orb spider / Banana spider / Nephila clavipes Cheers, Philippe Thanks, Philippe. I thought you might be the "expert" to chime in and put me on the right path! Ian D PS. Your shot is a lot better than mine!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn Palmer Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Banana Spider or Golden Orb Spider are two names I've heard attributed to them. I had one living on a web outside my sliding glass door (north Florida) for most of the summer this year but he disappeared about a month ago. I left him alone figuring he helps keep down the mosquito population. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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