Arachna who? Do you know this guy?

After hearing a loud shout from my wife Meg emanating from the front porch, I had to go out and investigate. Well I see the focus of the commotion: a large orb web with a very unusual zigzag pattern at the center and the web maker standing guard at the center.  Who can he be? 

A quick reference in our spider guide revealed that this beauty is a black and yellow argiope, also called a black and yellow garden spider.  The white zigzag patterns are called stabilimentum and reflect UV light. They have been shown to play a role in attracting prey to the web, and possibly to prevent its destruction by large animals.  Oh, by the way, the bite is harmless to humans.  Always good to know.