Female golden silk orbweavers (Nephila clavipes) are often the bane of many hikers this time of year here in Florida because they tend to build their large, high-tensile strength webs at face level across open trails. The reality is that these spiders are very unlikely to bite unless squeezed or irritated enough, and if they do actually bite, it allegedly hurts less than a bee sting. I personally enjoy seeing these large beauties when I'm out hiking around!
Xylocopa virginica
Golden silk orbweaver (Nephila clavipes) wrapping up its next meal, a red-legged buprestid beetle (Buprestis rufipes).
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