What are the big colourful spiders found around backyards and homes in the summer time?
Shamrock spiders (Araneus trifolium), because of their size and colour, often triggers people’s curiosity. They can measure up to 20 millimetres in length. A shamrock spider’s abdomen may be pale green, or brown to gray, or even purplish red. The abdomen is also smooth and has light spots. Its legs are conspicuously marked with white bands. Shamrock spiders spin large orb webs and are not poisonous. Jewel spiders (Araneus gemmoides) are another commonly seen spider. They are approximately the same size as the shamrock spider and are usually pale brown. The abdomen of the spider has two humps and markings that make it resemble a cat’s face leading to its other common name, the cat faced spider. It too builds a large orb web and is not poisonous.
