This is one of our largest spiders, with the female growing up to 1 inch long – the male is much smaller and seldom seen. The female has yellow, white and black bands on its abdomen above, reflecting its common name. Below it is mostly black with two prominent yellow stripes, and reddish-brown spinnerets, which remind us of a “smiley face” (B,C). The legs have many black bands. It usually builds its web close to the ground in tall grasses or other low vegetation. Compare with the closely related Black and Yellow Argiope (Argiope aurantia).