This spider was walking across our patio on Thursday. The temps here have been in the low 30's/high 20's at night, mid 40's during the day, so I was surprised to see it. The large part of the body was about 1/2" diameter. It's missing one leg on the right side.
Tried to get a shot of the front
And a closer view. It was moving pretty quick so hard to get a real clear shot.
Thanks for your help!
I suspect that this is an unusual color variant of an otherwise common species of orb weaver (family Araneidae) in the genus Araneus, such as Araneus diadematus - see http://tinyurl.com/yj5ktlp for an example. Individuals of species in this genus (as well as in the related genus Neoscona) can vary so much in color pattern as to make specific identification in the field very difficult. Sometimes, microscopic examination of certain structures is required to be certain of an identification.
Thank you! We have lots of orb weavers around here but I've never seen a yellow one before. Hope he finds a winter home before he freezes!
