The Golden Silk Orbweaver, Nephila Clavipes

In Florida and other southeastern states, this large orange and brown spider with the feathery tufts on its legs is well known to most native southerners. It is particularly despised by hikers and hunters; as during late summer and fall the large golden webs (fig. 1) of this species make a sticky trap for the unwary. However, as is typical with most spiders, there is little real danger from an encounter with the golden silk orbweaver. The spider will bite only if held or pinched, and the bite itself will produce only localized pain with a slight redness, which quickly goes away. On the whole, the bite is much less severe than a bee sting. Typically the webs are made in open woods or edges of dense forest, usually attached to trees and low shrubs, although they may be in the tops of trees or between the wires of utility lines (Krakauer 1972). Prey consists of a wide variety of small to medium-sized flying insects, including flies, bees, wasps, and small moths and butterflies (Robinson & Mirick 1971 ). We have also seen them feeding on small beetles and dragonflies. These spiders are rarely found in row crops, due to requirements of web support, but they are cominon in citrus groves (Muma 1975) and have been recorded from pecan (Whitcomb unpublished).