The spider species Argiope aurantia is commonly known as the yellow garden spider. hey have distinctive yellow and black markings on their abdomens and a mostly white cephalothorax. The web of the yellow garden spider is distinctive: a circular shape up to 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter, with a dense zigzag of silk, known as a stabilimentum, in the center. Other names for this spider are black and yellow garden spider, golden garden spider, writing spider, corn spider, or McKinley spider.