There are over 500 spider species that call New Jersey their home. On this page, you can find pictures and information about the most common spiders in New Jersey. We will answer the question if there are any deadly spiders in NJ, how to identify dangerous spiders and how to identify other common NJ spiders like harmless orb weavers, jumping spiders, cobweb spiders and more.
Poisonous spiders in NJ
If you are trying to identify a spider you found in NJ, your first question is probably if it can hurt you. And while almost all spiders in the world are venomous (not poisonous), only very few are considered medically significant. In New Jersey, there is only one group of medically significant spiders: black widows.
Black widows in NJ
There are two species of black widows in New Jersey: the northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus) and the southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans). Both species look very similar. Let’s have a look at the primary identification marks – you can find some pictures below:
- Black widows are primarily black. If the spider appears brown or purple, you are most likely looking at a false black widow (Steatoda grossa).
- They have a large round and shiny abdomen.
- Black widows have a red hourglass shape on the underside of their abdomen.
- They may have some red or white markings on their back.

Latrodectus Mactans – Southern Black Widow
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Latrodectus Variolus – Northern Black Widow
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If you are bitten by a black widow, you should get medical attention immediately. Symptoms include local pain, nausea and other flu-like symptoms. Put ice on the bite area but don’t put on a tourniquet. Black widow spider bites are usually uncomfortable but are usually not deadly. Keep in mind that around 10 times as many people die from bee or wasp stings in the U.S. each year than from spider bites. Still, medical attention is advised.
Are there brown recluse spiders in New Jersey?
You should never say never but generally, there are no brown recluse spiders in New Jersey. Brown recluse spiders prefer warm and dry habitats and are mostly found in the Southern United States. Their natural range goes as far northeast as Southwestern West Virginia. A long way from New Jersey.
Even though everyone in New Jersey knows someone who knows someone who has seen or has been bitten by a brown recluse, most of these sightings are other brown spiders. Harmless and completely different-looking wolf spiders, fishing spiders and other house spiders are often confused with brown recluses. Simply because they are brown. Well have a look at them further down on this page.
Here is a picture and more information about brown recluses. However, if your spider doesn’t have a dark brown fiddle on its back, you are definitely not looking at a brown recluse.

Loxosceles reclusa – Brown Recluse
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Other common spiders in New Jersey
Almost all the common spiders found in New Jersey are harmless. Some large brown spiders are often mistaken for brown recluses who are not native to New Jersey. The largest families of spiders are orb weaver spiders, jumping spiders and cobweb spiders. Let’s have a look at some pictures.
Large brown spiders
The largest spider in New Jersey is the wolf spider. This large brown spider can reach a total leg span of up to 4 in (10 cm). Fishing spiders can also grow over 3 in (8 cm) and are often found near or even walking on water. Here are some pictures of common large brown spiders in NJ:

Ummidia – Trap-Door Spider
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Lycosidae – Wolf Spider
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Pisaurina Mira – American Nursery Web Spider
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Agelenopsis – American Grass Spider
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Dolomedes – Fishing Spider
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Orb weavers in New Jersey
Orb weavers are spiders that build large round webs in our gardens, in the forest or on the front porch. With their webs, they catch flying insects and pets like mosquitoes. A great service for you. Orb weavers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Here are pictures of the most common NJ orb weavers:

Acanthepeira Stellata – Starbellied Orb Weaver
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Araneus Bicentenarius – Giant Lichen Orb Weaver
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Araneus diadematus – The European Garden Spider
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Araneus Marmoreus – Marbled Orb Weaver
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Araneus Trifolium – Shamrock Spider
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Argiope Aurantia – Black and Yellow Garden Spider
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Argiope Trifasciata – Banded Garden Spider
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Larinioides Cornutus – Furrow Spider
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Leucauge venusta – Orchard Spider
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Mangora gibberosa – Lined Orbweaver
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Micrathena gracilis – Spined Micrathena
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Micrathena mitrata – White Micrathena
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Missing Sector Orb Weaver – Zygiella X-Notata
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Neoscona Arabesca – Arabesque Orb Weaver
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Neoscona crucifera – Spotted Orb Weaver
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Neoscona domiciliorum – Red-femured Spotted Orbweaver
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Pachygnatha
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Verrucosa Arenata – Arrowhead Spider
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Other common New Jersey spiders
Jumping spiders, crab spiders, cobweb spiders are often found indoors and are a common sight in NJ during the warmer months. Here is an overview of all other common NJ spiders. Just click on the images or the “read more” buttons to read more about each species.

Castianeira Descripta – Red-Spotted Ant Mimic Spider
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Castianeira Longipalpa – Long-Palped Ant Mimic Sac Spider
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Cheiracanthium Mildei – Northern Yellow Sac Spider
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Clubiona – Leaf-Curling Sac Spider
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Dysdera Crocata – Woodlouse Spider
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Enoplognatha Ovata – Candy-Striped Spider
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Frontinella Pyramitela – Bowl and Doily Spider
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Herpyllus Ecclesiasticus – Eastern Parson Spider
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Hibana – Ghost Spider
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Maevia Inclemens – Dimorphic Jumper
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Misumena – Flower Crab Spider
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Parasteatoda tepidariorum – The Common House Spider
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Peucetia viridans – Green Lynx Spider
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Phidippus audax – Daring Jumping Spider
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Philodromus – Running Crab Spider
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Pholcidae – Daddy Long-Legs or Cellar Spider
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Platycryptus Undatus – Tan Jumping Spider
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Salticus Scenicus – Zebra Spider
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Scytodes Thoracica – Spitting Spider
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Steatoda Bipunctata – Rabbit Hutch Spider
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Steatoda borealis
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Steatoda Grossa – False Black Widow Spider
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Steatoda Triangulosa – Triangulate Cobweb Spider
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Trachelas Tranquillus – Broad-Faced Sac Spider
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Xysticus – Ground Crab Spider
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Xysticus Funestus – Deadly Ground Crab Spider
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NJ spider identification
If you have found a spider in New Jersey that is not on our list, we can hopefully help you. Just head over to our spider identification page. There you will find a handy tool that might help you identify the spider. If not, simply upload a picture on that site and we will do our best to identify the spider for you. Head over to the spider identification page now.