Most spiders are harmless. The argiope is no exception. They can be aggressive, but if you leave them alone they will leave you alone. They are good to have in the garden as they are voracious eaters and greatly reduce the number of harmful insects.
There are very few dangerous spiders in the world and even the ones that are dangerous have a far worse reputation than they deserve. The American Black Widow, Lactrodectus mactans is the most venomous spider known to man and even a bite from one of them is rarely fatal. Next in line would be the Australian Red Back also in the Lactordectus species, then the Sydney Funnel Web, Atrax Minatrix. Then probably the brown recluse or fiddle back spider. There are also some other Lactrodectus species like the brown widow. But other than that, most spiders are no threat to humans at all. All spiders are beneficial as they reduce insect populations. Especially flies. The common house fly is far more dangerous than any spider. The fly caries on average over 1000 deadly diseases and bacteria on its body at all times. Remember that the next time one lands in your potato salad.
I still feel uncomfortable with most spiders, nevertheless. They’re just… creepy. (Though I think centipedes—those critters belonging to the Scolopendra family—are ever creepier.)
LycanthropeX - 25 June 2012 08:28 PM
If I was going to get bit by a radioactive spider it would be an Argiope.
I gather a tarantula’s bite would turn one into something more like Venom.
I still feel uncomfortable with most spiders, nevertheless. They’re just… creepy. (Though I think centipedes—those critters belonging to the Scolopendra family—are ever creepier.)
LycanthropeX - 25 June 2012 08:28 PM
If I was going to get bit by a radioactive spider it would be an Argiope.
I gather a tarantula’s bite would turn one into something more like Venom.
Speaking of Tarantulas, I just learned something I didn’t know. While not particularly dangerous, the venom of the King Baboon Tarantula from Africa is quite hallucinogenic. I used to have a bunch of King Baboons in my collection. Never got bit by one so I never knew of the effects of the bite. Mine had over half inch long fangs, i’m thinking I would not want to get bit by one. As big as those things were, they were not the largest spider in my collection. My biggest spider was an African Goliath Tarantula, the 2nd largest spider in the world. Almost as big as the South American Bird Eater. My largest Goliath had an 11.5 inch leg spread and 1 inch fangs. They were suppose to be a really aggressive species, but mine were big babies, they ran and hid in their burrows when ever you walked into the room.
I am pretty sure I was bitten by a redback
felt cold clammy feverish, got a festering sore
ached all over for weeks
only a few people actually die from them, most just feel ill like I did.
never occured to me to seek serious medical advice like hospital testing, I took an antihistamine, doctor just said it was a spiderbite but since I was still alive obviously not fatal gave me antibiotics for the blistering bite.
my shed WAS FULL OF REDBACKS no other spider so the odds were pretty good it was one.
my yard is redback city, all my outdoor furniture has em underneath and big egg sacs
I am allergic to poisons so the lesser or two evils!
I’ve gone in another direction. Since I bought my house in 2001, I have really gotten into the birds. I never knew there was so much variety here. I got a great book, The Sibley Guide to Birds, and it has helped me identify all the birds that I’ve seen. Even a couple that were considered rare in my area. I have three feeders in my yard, though lately I haven’t kept them filled…money issues, it gets expensive. But I enjoy the other wildlife, too.
Speaking of Tarantulas, I just learned something I didn’t know. While not particularly dangerous, the venom of the King Baboon Tarantula from Africa is quite hallucinogenic. I used to have a bunch of King Baboons in my collection. Never got bit by one so I never knew of the effects of the bite. Mine had over half inch long fangs. . . [snip]
For some reason this reminds me of the “Malcolm in the Middle” episode where Hal gets bit in the face by a Tarantula. Kind of looked like the beginning of a close encounters peak. lol
And cute little spider, Dana! I kind of have a love/hate relationship with the little jumping spiders. When they jump on me I call out, “Oh!” But afterward, I start giggling. ~ Fearless little critters, they are! LoL
Of course, I like that they’re little. Wouldn’t be the same if they were big . . . like this bionic one.
I am pretty sure I was bitten by a redback
felt cold clammy feverish, got a festering sore
ached all over for weeks
only a few people actually die from them, most just feel ill like I did.
never occured to me to seek serious medical advice like hospital testing, I took an antihistamine, doctor just said it was a spiderbite but since I was still alive obviously not fatal gave me antibiotics for the blistering bite.
my shed WAS FULL OF REDBACKS no other spider so the odds were pretty good it was one.
my yard is redback city, all my outdoor furniture has em underneath and big egg sacs
I am allergic to poisons so the lesser or two evils!
If you’ve got problems with redbacks Wendy, try introducing DaddyLongLegs into the mix, They love eating redbacks and their mouths are too small to bite people.
When I first shifted into this house there were redbacks everywhere but luckily some Daddylonglegs had hitched a ride in my possessions so now I rarely see a redback.
That is a beautiful spider! My mom would have mixed feelings about it…she loves blue, and especially royal blue, which that seems to be, or close to it…but I don’t think she’s fond of big spiders.
Black Widows are common in E. Texas. I’ve seen several in the grocery store where I work. And while fatalities are rare, (mostly due to the availability of anti-venin) it is one of the most painful bites in nature. Survivors have described it as feeling like “being roasted alive”. It can last for weeks too. If you ever go camping in Widow country, check your shoes before putting them on in the morning, they like dark places.
I personally don’t like spiders, but I would still rather use a piece of paper to carry one outside the house if one came in as opposed to squishing it. No matter how much I dislike them, I dislike the bugs they eat more. :D
The American Black Widow, Lactrodectus mactans is the most venomous spider known to man and even a bite from one of them is rarely fatal.
Actually the Black Widow is the most venomous spider in North America. The Brazilian Wandering spider is the most venomous spider in the world.
Coldrake
Phoneutria species have been shown to have more toxic venom in lab test, but fatal bites on humans are far rarer than with Lactrodectus. Some believe the fangs of Wandering spiders are too small and weak to deliver a fatal bite on a human. What ever the case is, Lactrodectus has a far greater documented death toll on humans than Phoneutria. At any rate, fatal bites on adult humans are very rare for both species. Children, Elderly and those with other medical conditions are most at risk, A healthy adult has a very good chance of surviving a bite from either species.
~ Fearless little critters, they are! LoL 
