Yellow garden spider vs Wasp spider
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a yellow garden spider from a wasp spider, and whether either one bites or stings.
Yellow garden spider
Argiope aurantia
Wasp spider
Argiope bruennichi
≠The key differences
A. bruennichi (mainly Eurasia) has distinct yellow-and-black striping resembling a wasp; range separates most records, though appearance is superficially similar.
⚖︎Side by side
| Yellow garden spider | Wasp spider | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Mild venom | Mild bite |
| Size | Female body length 19-28 mm; male body length 5-9 mm (legspan several cm more) | Females about 11-17 mm body length; males about 4-6 mm body length |
| Colours | Yellow, Black, White, Brown | Yellow, Black, Silvery white, Dark brown |
| Family | Araneidae | Araneidae |
| Habitat | Open, sunny to partly shaded areas with vegetation for web attachments: gardens, meadows, field edges, fences and shrubby margins. | Low vegetation, grassland margins, meadows, gardens, hedgerows and wasteland where they can anchor vertical orb webs. |
| Range | Widespread in North America, from Canada through the United States and into Mexico; a few related Argiope species occur in other regions. | Native to Europe, North Africa and much of temperate Asia; its range has expanded northward in recent decades and it is now common in many parts of Europe. |
| Active | Late spring through fall; adults most conspicuous in late summer and early fall, active during daylight and dusk. | Mainly summer to early autumn; most visible and largest from July to September. Females sit in the web during the day. |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a yellow garden spider
- Large female with bright yellow and black patterned abdomen and banded legs held in an X posture
- Orb web with a prominent zigzag white silk stabilimentum near the center
- Females much larger than males (about 3-5 times body length)
🔍How to spot a wasp spider
- Bold transverse yellow and black (wasp-like) bands on the abdomen of females.
- Large vertical orb web often with a conspicuous white zig-zag stabilimentum in the centre.
- Marked sexual size dimorphism: females much larger (roughly 11-17 mm) and more brightly coloured than males (about 4-6 mm).
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a yellow garden spider and a wasp spider?
A. bruennichi (mainly Eurasia) has distinct yellow-and-black striping resembling a wasp; range separates most records, though appearance is superficially similar.
Is a yellow garden spider or a wasp spider more dangerous?
Yellow garden spider: Mild venom. Wasp spider: Mild bite. Bites are rare and typically occur only if the spider is handled or trapped against skin. Wasp spiders are venomous to their insect prey but not dangerous to people.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.