The common name “banana spider” in Florida usually refers to the Golden Silk Orb-Weaver (Trichonephila clavipes). These large, dramatically colored spiders are venomous, using their venom to subdue insect prey. However, they are not considered medically dangerous to humans. Their venom is mild, and bites are rare, typically occurring only if the spider is provoked or accidentally handled.
Identifying Florida’s “Banana Spider”
The size and striking coloration of the female Golden Silk Orb-Weaver cause most people to notice them. The female’s body alone measures between 1 to 1.5 inches in length, with a leg span reaching up to 5 inches, making her one of the largest orb-weaving spiders in North America. In contrast, the male is a tiny, dark brown, slender spider averaging about 6 millimeters long, often going unnoticed near the female’s web.
The female’s body features a cylindrical, elongated abdomen that is dull orange or tan, often marked with yellow spots. Her long legs are typically banded with brown and orange and bear noticeable tufts of black hair, or “gaiters,” on the tibiae of the first, second, and fourth pairs of legs. This species is sometimes confused with the Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia), which also has yellow and black markings but possesses a more rounded abdomen and lacks the Golden Silk Orb-Weaver’s leg tufts and golden web silk.
Understanding the Threat Level
While the Golden Silk Orb-Weaver is venomous, its venom poses little threat to healthy humans. Spiders are venomous (venom is injected), not poisonous (poison is ingested or absorbed). The venom is primarily neurotoxic, but its potency is too low to cause serious harm to a person, serving mainly to quickly incapacitate the flying insects that make up its diet.
Bites from this species are defensive and occur only when the spider is physically trapped, squeezed, or pressed against the skin. If a bite occurs, the sensation is often described as similar to a pinprick or a bee sting. Symptoms are highly localized and minor, including temporary pain, slight redness, and mild swelling at the bite site. Medical attention is rarely necessary. However, professional care should be sought if symptoms worsen significantly, if signs of a secondary infection develop, or if a severe allergic reaction occurs.
Habitat and Web Structure
The Golden Silk Orb-Weaver is widespread throughout Florida, thriving in the warm, humid climate from the coast to inland forested areas. They are frequently found in open woods, along trails, at the edges of clearings, and often utilize urban settings like yards and screened porches. They are active during the day and are most noticeable during the late summer and fall when females reach their largest size.
The most striking feature of this spider is its large, intricate, semi-permanent web, which can measure several feet in diameter and is often suspended at head height between trees or structures. The web is woven from silk that has a distinct, shimmering golden hue, which is the source of the spider’s common name. These webs serve an ecological purpose, as the spiders are beneficial predators that control populations of mosquitoes, flies, and other small flying insects.