Enourmous Brown/Yellow Spider?!? What is it?

very nice

first, welcome to bugguide.

second this is an orb weaver in the family Araneidae, proabbly Araneus trifolium, the Shamrock Spider. these guys (this female to be specefic) are completely harmless. their venom rarely causes reactions in humans and they rarely ever sting.

you can learn more about reading about dangerous spiders by Chris Wirth by going to this link

also, since you had a pic, you might want to post it on the ID Request tab, since maybe we might have wanted to add it to the guide. THANK YOU!

… Omar Fahmy, 5 April, 2006 - 6:31am

orb weaver, Araneidae, Araneus trifolium,Shamrock Spider

Thank you so much for your prompt reply and for taking your time to advise all this valuable information. This site is absolutely great! I will be delighted to post the pic on the "ID Request tab" for addition to your guide. My son & I were fascinated by this creature of nature and enjoyed taking the pics! Again, THANK YOU!

… Cinfran, 5 April, 2006 - 8:52am

Not so fast:-)

Please clarify where this image was taken. I suspect this creature is from somewhere other than the U.S. or Canada, in which case it is definitely NOT a shamrock spider, though the resemblance is indeed striking. Araneus trifolium nearly always has black-and-white banded legs, however, and black and white stripes on the cephalothorax (body segment to which legs are attached). Lastly, my compliments on an outstanding image! Thank you for sharing.

… Eric R. Eaton, 5 April, 2006 - 12:51pm

Eric, thanks for your input,,

Eric, thanks for your input,,, can confirm these pics were taken by my son & myself, in a landscaped area in our front yard in HOUSTON, TEXAS IN THE U.S. of A. at approximately 1:05A.M. on April 5th. Thank you for taking the time to respond and, I acknowledge your compliment, as stated before my pleasure to provide the pics.

… Cinfran, 5 April, 2006 - 1:02pm

You're welcome.

Please do continue to post to "Recent" and "ID Request." After I answered here, I saw the image (and its location) in the "Recent" images. I felt really stupid. But, I do stand by my diagnosis that it is not a shamrock spider. Keep up the great work!

… Eric R. Eaton, 5 April, 2006 - 4:55pm

Yes, not Shamrock

IDd in RECENT as Eriophora

… john and jane balaban, 5 April, 2006 - 5:35pm