This is a very large genus (Araneus of spiders, locally this is the most common species; A. gemma, perhaps the heaviest north American orb weaver. It's round, humped abdomen is usually pale colored, tan yellow or greenish, with a single thin median white stripe. It builds a large orb from trees and buildings in moister parts of the valleys and canyons, spending the day hiding in a loose nest made of leaves and silk, usually under an overhanging ledge or branch.