Spiders

• Golden silk orb-weaver spiders are known for their impressive webs, which are large and often have a golden color
• Females significantly larger than males; bodies reach 2+ inches

Web Structure:

• Intricate orb webs featuring distinctive golden silk for capturing flying insects

Habitat:

• Found in warm, tropical regions including Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas

Venom:

• Possess venom but generally harmless to humans; not medically significant

• Shiny black females with distinctive red/orange hourglass marking on abdomen
• Males and immature females display red, yellow, or white spots/bands

Venom:

• Contains neurotoxins; potent but rarely lethal
• Bites can cause severe pain, muscle cramps, fever, and other symptoms

Habitat:

• Found in various habitats, including outdoor locations such as woodpiles, debris, and gardens, as well as indoor spaces
• Construct irregular, tangled webs with funnel-like retreats

Web Structure:

• Sticky, irregular webs typically located close to ground level

Diet:

• Feed on insects and small arthropods trapped in webs

• Small spiders; females 5-9mm body length
• Brown or grayish with lighter abdominal markings
• Males smaller and lighter colored

Habitat:

• Found in and around human structures, including homes, sheds, garages, and other buildings
• Create irregular, messy webs in corners and windowsills

Diet:

• Opportunistic feeders consuming small trapped insects
• May feed on other spiders or small arthropods

• Small body length: 6-20mm
• Distinctive violin-shaped marking on its cephalothorax
• Coloration ranges from tan to dark brown

Habitat:

• Often found in dark, undisturbed areas such as closets, attics, basements, and crawl spaces
• Prefer sheltered, reclusive locations

Web Structure:

• Build irregular webs in hidden locations near ground level

Venom:

• Enzymes cause necrosis at bite site
• Bites may develop “bull’s-eye” appearance
• Severe reactions rare; seek medical attention if needed

Diet:

• Feed on small insects and arthropods

Identification:

• Requires careful examination of physical features
• Misidentifications are common with harmless spiders

• Small bodies: less than 1/4 inch (6mm)
• Long, thin legs that can extend several times the length of their bodies
• Pale yellow to light brown coloration

Habitat:

• Often found in dark and damp environments, such as basements, cellars, crawl spaces
• Inhabit room corners, sheds, and structures

Venom:

• Venomous but harmless to humans
• Bites rare with mild reactions

Identification:

• Often mistaken for harvestmen (daddy longlegs), which aren’t true spiders

• Females: 0.5-1 inch body length; males smaller and slender
• Female abdomen displays striking yellow/black pattern
• Banded legs in yellow/black or orange/black

Habitat:

• Commonly found in gardens, meadows, fields, and sunny areas with abundant vegetation
• Build large orb-shaped webs for capturing flying insects

Webs:

• Large, circular webs with distinctive zigzag “stabilimentum” pattern
• Pattern may attract prey or warn birds away

Diet:

• Feed on flying insects including bees, butterflies, moths
• Active hunters in web centers

Venom:

• Venomous but harmless to humans; designed for insect immobilization

• Medium-sized with elongated cephalothorax and abdomen
• Long, slender legs
• Brown, tan, or gray with striped carapace patterns

Habitat:

• Commonly found in grassy areas, meadows, gardens, and other outdoor environments
• Ground-dwelling spiders

Webs:

• Distinctive funnel webs with flat sheet structure and tubular retreat
• Spider waits for vibrations signaling prey

Diet:

• Feed on small insects: flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers

Venom:

• Not harmful to humans; bites rare with mild reactions

• Rounded abdomen and eight long legs
• Some species have distinctive markings: crosses, dots, zigzags
• Females often larger than males

Habitat:

• Found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, forests, meadows, and shrublands
• Suspend large circular webs between vegetation

Webs:

• Well-known circular webs effective for trapping flying insects
• Positioned to intercept prey; some species rebuild daily

Diet:

• Primarily insectivorous; capture moths, flies, beetles

Venom:

• Venomous but typically harmless to humans
• Bites rare with mild, localized reactions

• Robust, hairy spiders; body length 0.4-1.6 inches
• Eight eyes in three rows with distinctive middle row pattern
• Brown, gray, or black coloration for camouflage

Habitat:

• Found worldwide and inhabit a variety of environments, including grasslands, forests, deserts, and urban areas
• Commonly encountered on ground

Hunting Behavior:

• Active stalkers and pouncer hunters rather than web-builders
• Keen eyesight aids prey location and capture

Venom:

• Not harmful to humans
• Bites may cause localized pain, redness, and swelling, but severe reactions are rare