GOLDEN ORB WEAVER

The Golden Orb Weaver is a common spider in our yard.  This is the female, which is very large, probably 3+ inches from tip to tip.  The male is one-fourth the size of the female, but I don't know if I've ever seen one.  The web formation in the middle is known as a stabilimentum.  There are different explanations for its purpose.  One theory is that it stabilizes the web (which is where the name comes from).  Another is that it provides camouflage for the spider.  Yet another theory is that it reflects ultraviolet light, making it attractive to insects.

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