Anyone know what spider this is? (off topic)

European Garden Spider? n/m

new species?

Never heard of a google wolf spider....

Seriously, I believe wolf spiders don't rely on webs to snare supper. They are more likely running around chasing down prey. Good eyesight, nimble.

A web-making spider is more likely using the vibrations in the web as an alert. Poorer eyesight, I believe.

I'd guess this is some species in the cobweb weaver family or the orb-weaver family. Was the web fairly symmetrical or more irregular? Was there a rolled-up leaf at the edge of the web that the spider used as a refuge? What is the length & width of the body?

Good shots. Your county agent might be able to id or suggest a local expert. And good on you for leting it go - those guys do a pretty good job of bug control.

reminded

That reminded me of the time that I was on my way into a basement when the elderly HO told me that her daughter was bitten there by a brown recluse spider the day before. At the time, I didn't know what a brown recluse was, but since she knew the name, I knew it probably wasn't good.

The job waited until the exterminator did his thing.

good idea

Jerry was bitten by a brown recluse several years ago. Very nasty spider. Ruthe

From what I've seen on the web, it's not easy to identify a spider. Kind of looks like a garden spider. My friend had one like it near his back porch. At night it would come out and spin it's web. We used to catch bugs near the back light and through them into the web. Pretty neat watching how it dealt with them.

looks likw

argiope aurantia.. golden garden spider.

nice

I am changing my background on the desktop to the wolf spider to freek out my wife