What kind of spider is this outside my Tallahassee home? (see pic)?

I'm no expert and my wife really wants to know if she should be freaked out. His abdomen (as opposed to legs) is about an inch long. We're in a wooded residential area.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/juse/373599鈥?/a>



Any ideas?What kind of spider is this outside my Tallahassee home? (see pic)?
As a Floridian myself this is a very common and very large spider commonly known as the "Banana Spider" or Golden Silk Orb Weaver.



Read more about it:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_silk_orb-weaver
Banana spider! D: They terrify me! I used to live in Japan, and during the spring they're EVERYWHERE! Although the one outside your home is very small for a banana spider. Or Golden orb Weaver, if you want to put it that way. The one's I've seen have been as big as a 3 or 4 inch abdomen. They're harmless, and they eat pesky bugs. But they still scare me. ):What kind of spider is this outside my Tallahassee home? (see pic)?
It's one of the garden orb weaver spiders. They are harmless and very beneficial but can be provoked to bite if handled. You should be able to find the exact species in this lineup:



http://bugguide.net/node/view/2007/bgima鈥?/a>



If I had to guess I'd say it is most likely a yellow garden spider.