Overview of Spider Species in the United States
The Lycosidae, commonly called wolf spiders are a family of hunter spiders found throughout the United States and the rest of the world. There are many species of the Wolf Spider in North America, many of which look very similar. Twice in the past I asked an entomologist (both times were different entomologists) to help […]
The Steatoda triangulosa, commonly called the triangulate cobweb spider is a brown-black spider found throughout the US. It has an iconic triangulate shape on its back. Steatoda triangulosa Description The most distinguishing marks on the Steatoda triangulosa are the two darker zigzag markings that run down the abdomen, which form a set of triangular shapes […]
The brown recluse, loxosceles reclusa, is one of the more dangerous spiders indigenous in the United States. While usually not life-threatening, a brown recluse bite might lead to severe skin damage. This page gives an overview of how to identify a brown recluse and in which states in the US it appears. Brown Recluse Description […]
As the name suggests, the Dysdera crocata, or commonly called woodlouse spider, primarily preys on woodlice. The spider can be found all around the world. In the United States, it is mostly seen in the states along the East Coast until Wisconsin and the Mississippi River. Signification populations also exist on the West Coast from […]
Castianeira descripta, more commonly know as the red-spotted ant mimic spider gets its common name from the similar look and behavior to ants. It mimics the behavior of ants to get close enough to them for an attack. Red-Spotted Ant Mimic Spider Description The Red Spotted Ant Mimic Spider is a hunter spider. That means […]
The Pachygnatha is technically part of the Orb Weaver family. However, it does not spin a web and is a wandering hunter in the likes of the Wolf Spider. I cannot help but to think of this as the oxymoron of the spider world. Pachygnatha Description The spiders of the pachygnatha genus have a very […]
Piraurina Mira, commonly called nursery web spider, is a brown spider species with long legs. They are endemic to the Eastern USA. American nursery web spiders are often confused with wolf spiders or fishing spiders. The best way to identify Nursery Web Spiders from their lookalikes is by examining their eye patterns. If you are […]
Spiders of the genus Clubiona, commonly called leaf-curling sac spiders, can be found throughout the world and in every US state. Clubiona Description Clubiona spiders usually have light-brown legs and cephalothorax and a slightly darker abdomen. Their legs and head may even appear transparent at times due to the light color. Bite As with any […]
Menemerus bivittatus, commonly called the gray wall jumper or the gray jumping spider, is a jumping spider that can be found in hot and tropical regions around the world and in the South of the United States. Gray Wall Jumper Description As its name suggests, the gray wall jumper has a gray body color. It […]
Agelenopsis, American grass spiders, are a genus of spiders that can be found around the world and in every US state. They are some of the fastest spiders in the United States and can be fun just to watch if you can trigger the web right. Using a long piece of a weed or grass, […]
