Q: A beautiful large black-and-yellow spider fashioned its web just outside our front door. I call it a zipper spider because of the zipper thing in the center. What is it actually?

A: It’s an argiope, also known as a writing spider or zipper spider. They are harmless, except to small insects which are unlucky enough to fly into their web. If they are in the way of going out the door, use a stick to wind up the web and put the critter in a less bothersome spot.