# Golden silk orbweaver (Trichonephila clavipes) > A large, sexually dimorphic orb-weaving spider famous for its strong yellowish 'golden' web, common in warm parts of the Americas. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/golden-silk-orbweaver/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Mild bite.** Bites are rare and usually occur only if the spider is handled or trapped against skin. Venom causes localized pain, redness and swelling similar to a bee sting for most people, and usually fades within a day. Wash the bite with soap and water and use a cold compress. Severe reactions are very rare; anyone with signs of an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, widespread swelling, dizziness) should get emergency medical care. **Pets:** Generally low risk to dogs and cats; a bite could cause local pain and swelling. Very small pets might have stronger reactions and should be seen by a veterinarian if bitten and showing signs of distress. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Trichonephila clavipes - Also called: Banana spider, Golden orb-weaver, Nephila clavipes - Order: Araneae (Spiders) - Family: Araneidae (Orb-weaver spiders) - Size: Female body length 20-35 mm; male body length 4-6 mm - Colours: Golden yellow, Brown, Black, Pale yellow - Habitat: Warm, sheltered sites: gardens, forest edges, shrubs, porches and eaves where large orb webs can be anchored - Range: Southeastern United States through Central America, the Caribbean and much of South America - Active: Warm months (spring to fall) in temperate zones; year-round activity in tropical regions; mostly active during daylight and dusk - Lifespan: Most live less than a year; in temperate areas adults die with the first frosts and the next generation overwinters as eggs or spiderlings in the egg sacs - Effect on plants: Pest predator - Pest: no ## Overview Trichonephila clavipes is a large orb-weaving spider found from the southeastern United States through Central America, the Caribbean and much of South America. Females are much larger than males and build large, nearly vertical orb webs with silk that often appears yellow or gold in sunlight. These spiders are sit-and-wait predators that capture flying insects in their strong webs. They are common around gardens, forest edges, porches, and other sheltered sites where they can anchor large webs. Adults are most often seen in warm months; the species is generally not aggressive toward people and bites are uncommon. Their silk is unusually strong and has been the subject of scientific interest for both its color and mechanical properties. ## How to identify it Females are large, robust spiders with an elongated abdomen often showing yellow, brown and black markings and a lustrous, sometimes metallic sheen. Legs are long and banded, often with tufts of hair. Males are much smaller and less conspicuous, usually brown or gray and lacking the bold abdominal patterning of females. The web is large, often 1 meter or more across, and the silk can appear yellow to golden depending on light and diet. - Large female with elongated abdomen showing yellow, brown and black patterning and a glossy sheen - Distinctive golden-yellow tint to silk and web visible in sunlight - Marked sexual dimorphism: tiny, dull-colored males near the female's web - Long, banded legs often with tufts of hair ## Lookalikes - **Jorō spider** (Trichonephila clavata): Jorō females have a yellow abdomen with blue-black bands and red markings on the underside, and lack the hair tufts on the legs; native to East Asia, it has been introduced to the southeastern US (first found in Georgia around 2013). - **Yellow garden spider** (Argiope aurantia): Yellow garden spider has an oval black-and-yellow abdomen, no hair tufts on the legs, and usually adds a thick white zigzag band to the center of its web, which is white rather than golden. ## Life cycle - **Egg sac:** Females lay multiple egg sacs made of silk, often hidden in vegetation; each sac contains dozens to hundreds of eggs. - **Spiderling (juvenile):** Spiderlings hatch and disperse by 'ballooning' on silk threads. Juveniles build small webs and mature through several molts. - **Adult:** Adults build full-sized orb webs; females mate and produce egg sacs before dying at the end of the season in many climates. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Small flying insects and other tiny arthropods - Adults eat: Flying insects such as flies, bees, butterflies, moths and occasionally small wasps and beetles captured in the web - Predators of the young: Ants, predatory bugs, small wasps and birds - Predators of adults: Birds, wasps (including spider-hunting wasps), mantids and some larger spiders ## Effect on plants and gardens Not harmful to plants; helps control flying insect pests by capturing them in webs ## Where and when to find it Look for large orb webs strung between shrubs, small trees, porch supports or garden structures. Females sit near the web center or in a retreat at the web edge; juveniles are found on smaller webs nearby. - Best time: Warm months (spring to fall) in temperate zones; daytime and dusk when webs are most visible. In tropical areas they may be visible year-round. - Tips: Photograph from a distance to avoid disturbing the spider; backlighting can highlight the golden silk. Wear gloves and watch for quick removal if you need to clear a web. ## Fun facts - The yellow pigment in their silk is thought to attract bees and other prey in sunlight while helping the web blend in with the background in shade. - Female golden silk orbweavers can be many times larger than males; males often remain on the female's web and are much less conspicuous. - The silk of orb-weavers like T. clavipes is unusually strong for its weight and has been studied for biomaterials research. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are golden silk orbweavers dangerous? Only mildly. They are not aggressive and bites are rare; a bite typically causes only localized pain, redness and swelling similar to a bee sting. ### Do golden silk orbweavers bite people? Bites occur only if the spider is handled, provoked or trapped against the skin. Most people suffer only mild local symptoms. ### Why is a golden silk orbweaver in my house? They build large webs in sheltered outdoor areas. If you see one indoors it was likely an accident (brought in on plants or entered through open doors) or building openings provide sheltered web sites. ### How can I get rid of a golden silk orbweaver? The humane approach is to relocate the spider by carefully moving it (using a container and stiff card) to an outdoor shrub or structure. To reduce web-building near entryways, remove anchor points, keep vegetation trimmed and seal gaps in eaves and doors. ### Where do golden silk orbweavers live? They live in warm, humid habitats across the southeastern United States, Central America, the Caribbean and South America, favoring forest edges, gardens and structures where large webs can be anchored. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/904336), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichonephila_clavipes). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.