Mystery Bug (maybe someone can identify it)

[groundloop]

I got home tonight and saw this in a spiderweb. I don't have a clue what it is, but decided right away I had to get some photos of it.

[hollysmom]

1. wow, no idea, but would be great as an extra large up spider in a b movie thriller.

[Duer 157099]

2. A ladybug, a crab and a starfish walk into a bar....

That is one helluva bug. I'm glad it's small.

ETA: Eek! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiny_orb-weaver

Twins!

[Solly Mack]

3. That is awesome!

Love it!

[handmade34]

4. spiny orb-weaver...

we don't have those up north.. a real beauty!

[NW_Cowboy]

11. Excellent!

I was going to guess "A Republican," but I think you nailed it!

[Curmudgeoness]

5. That is one cool spider!

Thanks to duer157099 for more information than I had. I just knew that it was the spider that built that web. Love that photo.

[Phentex]

6. It's Jason Voorhees!

[tclambert]

7. Why is it wearing an old-style hockey mask?

[Locrian]

8. pikachu?

[secondvariety]

9. I have multitude

of these in the bamboo patch in my yard. They spin their webs at eye level so it's like running an obstacle course avoiding them. I like them so I try not to break their web.

[carla]

10. Spiney orbweaver.

It is an arthropod, a spider. Some say it is a crab spider, but they don't build webs. These are quite common here, but I don't imagine you see many in northern latitudes. They come in an array of colors, from orange to white to green, usually with some black.

[judesedit]

12. Don't know what it's called,but that's it's own web & they kill your plants.Don't let them flourish

They are all over south Florida

[cactusfractal]

13. Gasteracantha do NOT hurt your plants

In fact, they prey on insects that do eat your plants, as well as mosquitoes, flies and smaller flying roaches.

They are awesome garden companions, don't bite and look great. As above, they do like to spin webs about 2m above ground, so really the only trouble they bring is the occasional face full of spider silk.