So we've had this spider on our porch for a few weeks now, it's normally a red and black coloring but in the pictures I think it's starting to molt, because its getting dry and off-white. Can anyone tell me what kind of spider this is? Its a little larger than a sacagawea gold dollar. Here's a picture.
This appears to be a spotted orbweaver, Neoscona crucifera, a very common and widespread species that can show a good deal of variation in its appearance - see http://www.spiders.us/species/neoscona-crucifera/#more_pictures
