Currently, around 680 described spider species can be found in Ohio. The most common spider families are small money spiders (Linyphiidae), orb weavers (Araneae), cobweb spiders (Theridiiae), jumping spiders (Salticidae), wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and funnel-web spiders (Agelenidae). While the vast majority of all spiders is harmless for humans, there are four venomous spider species in Ohio. First, we will take a close look at the dangerous spiders in Ohio and then introduce you to other common Ohio house and garden spiders
Poisonous spiders in Ohio
Generally, it can be said that almost all spiders are venomous. However, there are four species of venomous spiders in Ohio that are considered medically significant: the brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa), the mediterranean recluse (Loxosceles rufescens), the southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans) and the northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus).
Info: Spiders are generally referred to as venomous.
Things that can be ingested are referred to as poisonous (like mushrooms). Animals that transfer a venom through their bite are venomous (e.g. spiders or snakes).
Brown Recluse Spiders in Ohio
The range of the brown recluse spider includes southwestern Ohio, up to Columbus. While recluse sightings also occur north and east of Columbus, they are mostly displaced individuals or small local populations that have yet failed to establish stable populations in these areas. The superficially identifical mediterranean recluse (Loxosceles rufescens) can also be found in Ohio.
Even if you live in the Southwest of Ohio and theoretically in the distribution area of the brown recluse, you are still unlikely to ever encounter one, let along be bitten by one. As their name suggests, these spiders are reclusive and prefer to spend their lives in areas where they are not commonly disturbed by humans. Most alleged brown recluse sightings are usually other brown spiders found in Ohio, commonly wolf spiders, grass spiders or fishing spiders. Here are a few identification marks how to identify a brown recluse:
- Size: The brown recluse is a relatively small spider compared to wolf spiders and fishing spiders. It’s body size is always under 1 in. (25 mm), maximum 3/4 in (19 mm).
- Thin Legs: Recluse spiders have very long, thin and non-hairy legs. If the legs are very hairy or thick, it is most definitely not a recluse.
- 6 Eyes: Most spiders have eight eyes, recluse spiders have 6 eyes. If you can easily identify 8 eyes, you are not looking at a recluse spider.
- Violin Shape. The brown and mediterranean recluse spiders both have a distinct dark brown violin shape on their cephalothorax (spider’s head). Other than the violin, the spider does not have any patterns or markings.
- Dark Abdomen. While the overall body and legs are uniformly brown except for the darker violin shape, the abdomen of the recluse is darker and can appear gray, dark brown or even black. There are no markings on the abdomen.
- No Web. Recluse spiders only build small webs to lay their eggs. If you see a larger, funnel-shaped web or other web structures, you are not dealing with a brown recluse.
![Brown recluse spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Brown-recluse-spider.jpg)
Even though brown recluse spiders have the potential to cause severe necrotism with their bites, these instances are very uncommon. According to scientist Rick Vetter, who studied the venom and effects of brown recluse bites in detail, around 90% of brown recluse bites heal by themselves. Around 3% need skin replacement surgery. Also, around 10 times as many people die from bee and wasp stings than from spider bites in the United States.
Check out the post below to learn more about the brown recluse:
![Loxosceles reclusa - brown recluse spider full body picture](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Loxosceles-reclusa-brown-recluse-spider-full-body-picture-300x300.jpg)
Loxosceles reclusa – Brown Recluse
Black Widows in Ohio
The species of the black widow can be found in Ohio: the southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans) and the northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus). Both species look very similar: the most commonly encountered female has a large round black and shiny abdomen with a red hourglass shape on its bottom. Northern and southern black widow can be distinguished by the hourglass marking:
The hourglass shape of the northern black widow is broken into two parts (two triangles that almost touch). The hourglass shape of the southern black widow is clearly one single shape.
![Latrodectus mactans Southern black widow female closeup high resolution dorsal below](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Latrodectus-mactans-Southern-black-widow-female-closeup-high-resolution-dorsal-below-1024x686.jpg)
The rest of the spider is often completely black. However, especially juvenile individuals often have several red or white markings on its back.
The male black widow usually has a more oblong and less shiny abdomen but is also less aggressive and bites from male black widow spiders have not been recorded. Several black spiders in Ohio are frequently mistakenly identified as black widows. E.g. false black widow spiders (Steatoda grossa) and other species in the Steatoda genus can have a very similar appearance to widows.
You can read more about the northern or southern black widow in the articles below:
![Latrodectus mactans - Southern black widow](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Latrodectus-mactans-Southern-black-widow-300x300.jpg)
Latrodectus Mactans – Southern Black Widow
![Northern black widow latrodectus variolus](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Northern-black-widow-latrodectus-variolus-300x300.jpg)
Latrodectus Variolus – Northern Black Widow
Other common spiders in Ohio
Now we have looked at the potentially dangerous spiders in Ohio. Let’s next look at spiders in Ohio that are not considered medically significant but are known to bite or show aggressive behavior.
Biting spiders in Ohio
Next to the medically significant spiders mentioned above, yellow sac spiders (Cheiracanthium mildei), broad faced sac spiders (Trachelas tranquillus), the woodlouse hunter (Dysdera crocata), the daring jumping spider (Phidippus audax) and the eastern parson spider (Herpyllus eccleclasticus) are considered biting spiders in Ohio. Bites of these spiders are relatively common and can cause some local swelling and pain, including mild headaches and nausea in some cases. However, they usually don’t require any medical attention. You can click on the spider images below to learn more about the spiders:
![Herpyllus ecclesiasticus eastern parson spider hunting](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Herpyllus-ecclesiasticus-eastern-parson-spider-hunting-300x300.jpg)
Herpyllus Ecclesiasticus – Eastern Parson Spider
![Cheiracanthium Mildei - Northern Yellow Sac Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Cheiracanthium-Mildei-Northern-Yellow-Sac-Spider-300x300.jpg)
Cheiracanthium Mildei – Northern Yellow Sac Spider
![Dysdera Crocata - Woodlouse Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dysdera-Crocata-Woodlouse-Spider-300x300.jpg)
Dysdera Crocata – Woodlouse Spider
![Trachelas Tranquillus Broad Faced Sac Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Trachelas-Tranquillus-Broad-Faced-Sac-Spider-300x300.jpg)
Trachelas Tranquillus – Broad-Faced Sac Spider
![Daring Jumping Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Daring-Jumping-Spider-300x300.jpg)
Phidippus audax – Daring Jumping Spider
Large Spiders in Ohio
The largest spider in Ohio is the Carolina wolf spider (Hogna carolinensis) that can reach a leg span of up to 4 in (100 mm). Its body can grow up to 1.5 inch in length. Other large spiders in Ohio are fishing spiders, grass spiders, wood spiders (also called giant crab spiders) and other nursery web spiders.
![Philodromus - Running Crab Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Philodromus-Running-Crab-Spider-300x300.jpg)
Philodromus – Running Crab Spider
![Lycosidae wolf spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Lycosidae-wolf-spider-2-300x300.jpg)
Lycosidae – Wolf Spider
![Picture of Pisaurina Mira](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Picture-of-Pisaurina-Mira-300x300.jpg)
Pisaurina Mira – American Nursery Web Spider
![Agelenopsis American grass spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Agelenopsis-American-grass-spider-300x300.jpg)
Agelenopsis – American Grass Spider
![fishing spider dolomedes vittatus](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/fishing-spider-dolomedes-vittatus-300x300.jpg)
Dolomedes – Fishing Spider
Common house spiders in Ohio
The most common house spiders in Ohio are black or brown spiders of the cobweb spider family. These spiders that include the false widow spiders are often confused with black widows. Jumping spiders and ground crab spiders are also commonly seen inside people’s homes in Ohio.
![Steatoda borealis in United States](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Steatoda-borealis-294x300.jpg)
Steatoda borealis
![Platycryptus undatus Tan Jumping Spider Information](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Platycryptus-undatus-Tan-Jumping-Spider-Information-300x300.jpg)
Platycryptus Undatus – Tan Jumping Spider
![Steatoda Grossa - Cupboard Spider or False black widow](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Steatoda-Grossa-Cupboard-Spider-or-False-black-widow-300x300.jpg)
Steatoda Grossa – False Black Widow Spider
![Dark morph dimorphic jumper](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Dark-morph-dimorphic-jumper-300x300.jpeg)
Maevia Inclemens – Dimorphic Jumper
![Salticus Scenicus - Zebra Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Salticus-Scenicus-Zebra-Spider-300x300.jpg)
Salticus Scenicus – Zebra Spider
![Steatoda triangulosa triangulate cobweb spider picture](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Steatoda-triangulosa-triangulate-cobweb-spider-picture-300x300.jpg)
Steatoda Triangulosa – Triangulate Cobweb Spider
![Rabbit hutch spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Rabbit-hutch-spider-300x300.jpg)
Steatoda Bipunctata – Rabbit Hutch Spider
![Pholcidae or Cellar Spider Photo](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Pholcidae-or-Cellar-Spider-Photo-300x300.jpg)
Pholcidae – Daddy Long-Legs or Cellar Spider
![Daring Jumping Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Daring-Jumping-Spider-300x300.jpg)
Phidippus audax – Daring Jumping Spider
![Parasteatoda Tepidariorum the common house spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Parasteatoda-Tepidariorum-the-common-house-spider-300x300.jpg)
Parasteatoda tepidariorum – The Common House Spider
Crab spiders and orb weaver spiders
Crab spiders and orb weaver spiders are among the most common spiders found in gardens or around our homes. The most commonly seen orb weaver spiders in Ohio are the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus) and the black and yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia). Another fascinating spider is the flower crab spider (Misumena sp.), one of the few white spiders in Ohio that can even change its color into yellow to perfectly blend into the flowers where it lurks for potential prey.
![Neoscona domiciliorum red-femured spotted orbweaver found in Florida](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Neoscona-domiciliorum-red-femured-spotted-orbweaver-found-in-Florida-300x300.jpg)
Neoscona domiciliorum – Red-femured Spotted Orbweaver
![Mangora gibberosa - Lined Orbweaver information](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mangora-gibberosa-Lined-Orbweaver-information-300x300.jpg)
Mangora gibberosa – Lined Orbweaver
![White spider with black spines brown legs is a Micrathena gracilis – Spined Micrathena found in Georgia United States](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/White-spider-with-black-spines-brown-legs-is-a-Micrathena-gracilis-–-Spined-Micrathena-found-in-Georgia-United-States-300x300.jpg)
Micrathena gracilis – Spined Micrathena
![Micrathena mitrata – White Micrathena information](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Micrathena-mitrata-–-White-Micrathena-information-300x300.jpg)
Micrathena mitrata – White Micrathena
![Arrowhead orb weaver Verrucosa arenata information](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Arrowhead-orb-weaver-Verrucosa-arenata-information-300x300.jpg)
Verrucosa Arenata – Arrowhead Spider
![female acanthepeira stellata star bellied orb weaver](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/female-acanthepeira-stellata-star-bellied-orb-weaver-300x300.jpg)
Acanthepeira Stellata – Starbellied Orb Weaver
![Neoscona arabesca Arabesque orbweaver in the United States](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Neoscona-arabesca-Arabesque-orbweaver-in-the-United-States-300x300.jpg)
Neoscona Arabesca – Arabesque Orb Weaver
![Xysticus funestus deadly ground crab spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Xysticus-funestus-deadly-ground-crab-spider-300x300.jpg)
Xysticus Funestus – Deadly Ground Crab Spider
![Araneus bicentenarius giant lichen orb weaver cover image](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Araneus-bicentenarius-giant-lichen-orb-weaver-cover-image-300x300.jpg)
Araneus Bicentenarius – Giant Lichen Orb Weaver
![Araneus Marmoreus - Marbled Orb Weaver](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Araneus-Marmoreus-Marbled-Orb-Weaver-300x300.jpg)
Araneus Marmoreus – Marbled Orb Weaver
![Araneus Trifolium - Shamrock Spider Picture](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Araneus-Trifolium-Shamrock-Spider-Picture-300x300.jpg)
Araneus Trifolium – Shamrock Spider
![Neoscona crucifera Spotted Orbweaver Information](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Neoscona-crucifera-Spotted-Orbweaver-Information-300x300.png)
Neoscona crucifera – Spotted Orb Weaver
![Leucauge venusta Colorful orchard spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Leucauge-venusta-Colorful-orchard-spider-300x300.jpg)
Leucauge venusta – Orchard Spider
![pachygnatha orb weaver Picture](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/pachygnatha-orb-weaver-Picture-300x300.jpg)
Pachygnatha
![Xysticus - Ground Crab Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Xysticus-Ground-Crab-Spider-300x300.png)
Xysticus – Ground Crab Spider
![Larinioides Cornutus - furrow orb weaver](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Larinioides-Cornutus-furrow-orb-weaver-300x300.png)
Larinioides Cornutus – Furrow Spider
![Misumena Flower Crab Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Misumena-Flower-Crab-Spider.jpg)
Misumena – Flower Crab Spider
![Arigope Trifasciata Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Arigope-Trifasciata-Spider-300x300.png)
Argiope Trifasciata – Banded Garden Spider
![Arigope Aurantia Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Arigope-Aurantia-Spider-300x300.jpg)
Argiope Aurantia – Black and Yellow Garden Spider
![Araneus diadematus - European Garden spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Araneus-diadematus-European-Garden-spider-e1576087794430-300x300.jpg)
Araneus diadematus – The European Garden Spider
Other common Ohio spiders
Below, you can find more pictures of common Ohio spiders:
![Hibana Incursa](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Hibana-Incursa-300x300.png)
Hibana – Ghost Spider
![Castianeira longipalpa long-palped ant mimicking spider information](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Castianeira-longipalpa-long-palped-ant-mimicking-spider-information-300x300.jpg)
Castianeira Longipalpa – Long-Palped Ant Mimic Sac Spider
![bowl and doily spider Frontinella pyramitela information](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bowl-and-doily-spider-Frontinella-pyramitela-information-300x300.jpg)
Frontinella Pyramitela – Bowl and Doily Spider
![Scytodes Thoracica - Spitting Spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Scytodes-Thoracica-Spitting-Spider-300x300.jpg)
Scytodes Thoracica – Spitting Spider
![Ummidia trapdoor spider](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Ummidia-trapdoor-spider-300x251.jpg)
Ummidia – Trap-Door Spider
![Red-Spotted ant mimic spider Castianeira descripta](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Red-Spotted-ant-mimic-spider-Castianeira-descripta-300x300.jpg)
Castianeira Descripta – Red-Spotted Ant Mimic Spider
![Clubiona - Leaf-Curling Sac Spider picture](https://usaspiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Clubiona-Leaf-Curline-Sac-Spider-picture-300x300.jpg)
Clubiona – Leaf-Curling Sac Spider
Ohio Spider Identification
If you have found a spider in Ohio that is not on this site or that you are uncertain, head over to our USA spider identification page. We have built a tool that should help you identify the spider you found. If you are still unable to identify the spider, you can upload a picture on that page and we will be happy to do our best to identify the spider for you. Head over to the spider identification tool now.