While they do look pokey, they are real Spiny backed Orb weavers. I don't think I've ever been poked or bitten by one. Although once again I don't understand the name because they don't make "orb" webs at all, (we have other orb weavers that do) they make beautiful flat, symmetrical webs with long, strong non-stick guy wires that are easy to move, and even have little white "flags" on them so you can see them.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/...
