Fun fact of the day: The spider in children’s classic, Charlotte’s Web, is a barn orb-weaver similar to the one posted in the picture below. The spider depicted below though is called is a spiny-orb weaver or Gasteracantha. I came across this spider while cutting weeds in my backyard and after a momentary freakout, was comforted in the fact that these spiders are generally harmless. Although I didn’t ruin this one’s web, it wouldn’t have mattered much because apparently these spiders spin new webs every single night to make sure that the structure is secure. These spiders are amongst the most beneficial ones we have because they pray on small pests and insects that are present in crops. This helps to control any insect overpopulation.
Source: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-23_spiny_orb_weaver_spider.htm
iNaturalist Link: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4220503