Black and Yellow Argiope (Argiope aurantia), a.k.a. Garden Spider or Cross Spider. One of the larger orb weavers, this spider was introduced from Europe. It eats the remains of the web made the previous night and spins a new web each night. The markings on the abdomen sometime give the impression of a vertical white line crossed by a conspicuous dark line, inspiring the alternative name Cross Spider. These spiders usually rest head downward at the center of the web. They can be found throughout the United States and S. Canada. Ludlow, MA, USA.