Cat-face orb weaver

5778   It’s almost 2 inches big. It’s living between the windows (outside and inside) of townhouse in Edmonton. Photo taken mid August of this year. Please, please can you respond. Need to know if something to worry about, as there is a 1 year old baby as well 2 dogs. Thank you.  Dave H.

Nothing to worry about here – it’s a harmless orb weaver in the genus Araneus, possibly Araneus gemmoides, known as the cat-face orb weaver; see http://tinyurl.com/j9jjvy9 for an image. All orb weavers are harmless to humans. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.