Spiders

Order Araneae

The Spiders (Order Araneae) includes 1,848 species across 82 families and 552 genera in our directory.

About Spiders

As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.

Economic Impact

The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.

Ecological Role

Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.

Families in Araneae (82)

Species in Araneae (1,848)

Autumn Money Spider

Erigone autumnalis

Linyphiidae

Erigone autumnalis is a species of dwarf spiders in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in North and Central America, and it has been introduced to Azores, Europe, United Arab Emirates, and New Caledonia.

Azilia affinis

Tetragnathidae

Identification: The web is vertical to horizontal and loose with a closed hub. The posterior hump is more distinct in some specimens, almost absent in specimens from Florida.

Barn Spider

Araneus cavaticus

no rights reserved

Araneidae

Identification: Araneus cavaticus is often confused with Neoscona crucifera . These two species can be differentiated using two main features: 1) Araneus cavaticus has 'shoulders' near the front on the dorsal side of the abdomen. A. cavaticus N. cru

Barronopsis texana

Agelenidae

Identification: Coloration variable, generally dusky gray or tan background with light black mottling, occasionally with reddish or burgundy coloration on abdomen. Carapace coloration also variable, from prominent longitudinal black stripe on carapac

Baryphyma pratense

Linyphiidae

Length 2 to 2.5 mm. Prosoma brown, with black margin, black median spot and radial stripes. Opisthosoma dark grey to black. Male with elevated head region. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is required to confirm this species. Flood plains of

Bassaniana floridana

Thomisidae

Identification: The anterior eye row is weakly recurved; the anterior legs of male are only slightly mottled.

Bassaniana utahensis

Thomisidae

Identification: Epigynum: Palp (better images needed): Distinguishing B. utahensis from C. brunneipes : So I looked at these carefully today, comparing only the males of spiders I think the ID is 100% correct. vs. Here is what I see... for difference

Bathyphantes alascensis

Linyphiidae

Identification: "Color of carapace and appendages light yellowish to light brown, without markings, legs in some cases broadly darkened between joints. Abdomen dark gray above, without cross bands" Palp Epigynum

Bathyphantes alboventris

Linyphiidae

Identification: "Color of carapace varying from dusky brown with distinct blackish radial streaks in darker specimens to yellowish brown with little shading and almost no radial streaks in lighter specimens; central area of carapace faded and more ye

Bathyphantes approximatus

Linyphiidae

Males 2 to 3 mm, females 2-3 to 5 mm. Prosoma brown, with darkened margin. Sternum blackish. Opisthosoma black with bright pattern dorsally consisting of transverse bands or chevrons. Tibial spines: 2222 / TmIV: no / TmI: 0.15-0.25 Confirmation of th

Bathyphantes brevipes

Linyphiidae

Identification: "Color of carapace yellowish to light brown, with sides of thorax narrowly edged in black; dorsum of abdomen pale gray, with an irregular or broken median band of blackish and a row of blackish spots along each side" Epigynum "..there

Bathyphantes brevis

Linyphiidae

Identification: Close to B. alboventris in appearance. "Color of carapace light brown, lightly shaded on margins, sides of thorax narrowly edged with black;Abdomen pale gray on dorsum, marked with blackish spots on anterior part and a series of black

Bathyphantes gracilis

Linyphiidae

The carapace is brown and the abdomen features black bars on a grey-brown background although this colouration is variable and some specimens are wholly grey-brown or black. Examination of the genitalia is required to confirm this species. Common in

Bathyphantes keeni

Linyphiidae

Identification: "Color of carapace light brownish with sides of thorax and all of head darkened with dusky shadings and streaks. Carapace humped behind eye area, prominently in male, slightly in female. Dorsum of abdomen covered with pattern of dark

Bathyphantes nigrinus

Linyphiidae

Length 2.5-3mm. Prosoma reddish brown, with darkened margins. Sternum almost black. Legs yellow-brown. Opisthosoma dark grey, dorsally and laterally mostly with bright pattern, sometimes dorsally bright without pattern. This is one of the 'money spid

Bathyphantes orica

Linyphiidae

Identification: "Color of carapace and appendages yellowish amber; abdomen dark gray, with pale gray patches on front half of dorsum." Epigynum

Bathyphantes pallidus

Linyphiidae

Identification: "Color of carapace yellowish brown to light brown, more or less shaded with dusky brown, especially on sides of thorax. Abdomen dark gray, with a long series of whitish cross bands above, usually divided medially by a narrow, longitud

Bathyphantes parvulus

Linyphiidae

Length 2-2.3mm. Prosoma brown with darkened margin. Sternum black. Legs light yellow, darkened on joints. Opisthosoma dark grey to black with vague, dark pattern. This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK species

Bennett's Laceweaver

Callobius bennetti

Amaurobiidae

Callobius bennetti is a species of spider in the Amaurobiidae family. It has multiple common names: Hackled Mesh Weaver, hacklemesh weaver, night spider, and tangled nest spider. They sometimes could be mistaken for hobo spiders. The species can be f

Bifurcate Trashline Orbweaver

Allocyclosa bifurca

Araneidae

Allocyclosa is a genus of orb weaver spiders that contains only one species, Allocyclosa bifurca. It was first described in 1887 by McCook under the name Cyrtophora bifurca, and was transferred to its own genus in 1999. It is the only Cyclosa species

Blabomma californicum

Cybaeidae

Blabomma californicum is a species of true spider in the family Dictynidae. It is found in the United States.

Black Lace-weaver Spider

Amaurobius ferox

Amaurobiidae

Female to 16 mm; male to 12 mm. This spider usually has a dark abdomen with a wide and paler 'cardiac' mark but this is often reduced to a series of pale spots. The intensity of dorsal marking varies and it can easily be mistaken for the other member

Black-spotted Orbweaver

Araneus miniatus

Araneidae

Araneus miniatus is a species of orb weaver in the family of spiders known as Araneidae. It is found in the United States.

Black-tailed Red Sheetweaver

Florinda coccinea

Linyphiidae

The black-tailed red sheetweaver, scientific name Florinda coccinea, is a species of web-building spider belonging to the family Linyphiidae. It is the only species in the genus Florinda. It is sometimes known as the red grass spider. Found in the Un

Blazed Dwarf Weaver

Erigone blaesa

Linyphiidae

Identification: Palp Epigynum Holotype male. Shinnecock Hills, N. Y., June 15, 1919. Allotype female, same locality.

Bolyphantes luteolus

Linyphiidae

Length 3 to 5 mm. Prosoma brown. Opisthosoma yellowish brown, dorsally with irregularly arranged spots. This species can only be confirmed by examination of the genitalia of mature specimens. Grassland, heathland, moorland and wet flushes, beneath st

Bowl and Doily Weaver

Frontinella pyramitela

Linyphiidae

Identification: Images that best match the photographs in Spiders of the Eastern United States : This spider builds a distinct web made of a bowl-shaped sheet web over another sheet web, leading to the common name "Bowl and doily spider" Palp Epigynu

Bronze Jumper

Eris militaris

Salticidae

Identification: Epigynum Palp More information about distinguishing E. militaris from E. flava in Maddison's paper.

Brown Spitting Spider

Scytodes fusca

Scytodidae

Identification: This species is commonly associated with human dwellings, where they seem to compete with Theridion rufipes ( Theridiidae ), but they are also frequent in the field, in hollow tree trunks, under loose bark and in nests of small mammal

Bull-headed sac spider

Trachelas pacificus

Trachelidae

Trachelas pacificus is a species of true spider in the family Trachelidae. It is found in the United States and Mexico.

Califorenigma linsdalei

Dictynidae

Califorenigma is a monotypic genus of spiders in the family Dictynidae containing the single species, Califorenigma linsdalei.

California Flattened Jumping Spider

Platycryptus californicus

Salticidae

Platycryptus californicus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is found in North and Central America.

Calilena restricta

Agelenidae

Calilena restricta is a species of funnel weaver in the family of spiders known as Agelenidae. It is found in the USA.

Callilepis gosoga

Gnaphosidae

Callilepis gosoga is a species of ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It is found in the United States.

Callilepis imbecilla

Gnaphosidae

Identification: Palp Epigynum "This species apparently replaces C. pluto in the Mississippi River Valley and the extreme southern United State."

Callilepis pluto

Gnaphosidae

Identification: Voucher specimen with epigynum: Palp

Callobius gertschi

Amaurobiidae

Identification: Palp (ventral/dorsal/lateral) Epigynum

Callobius nomeus

Amaurobiidae

Callobius nomeus is a species of hacklemesh weaver in the spider family Amaurobiidae. It is found in the United States and Canada. Specifically this species is associated with tree bark.

Callobius pictus

Amaurobiidae

Callobius pictus is a species of hacklemesh weaver in the family of spiders known as Amaurobiidae. It is found in the United States and Canada.

Calymmaria californica

Cybaeidae

Calymmaria californica is a species of true spider in the family Cybaeidae. It is found in the United States.

Calymmaria monicae

Cybaeidae

This species looks very similar to other Calymmaria especially C. aspenola, C. californica, and C. lora.

Calymmaria monterey

Cybaeidae

Identification: Likely requires detailed microscopic examination of the epigynum of an adult female. Males have not yet been described. Epigynum: Males of this species have not yet been described.

Calymmaria persica

Cybaeidae

Identification: According to Heiss & Draney 2004 , Calymmaria persica females have annulated (banded) legs, whereas C. virginica females have unmarked legs. This may be helpful for separating those two Appalachian species. (The rest of the Calymmaria

Canada Sheetweb Weaver

Bathyphantes canadensis

Linyphiidae

Identification: "Color of carapace light to dark brown, with dusky radial marks. Abdomen varying from pale gray to blackish above, usually with characteristic pattern of dark and light gray" Palp

Cardinal Jumper

Phidippus cardinalis

Salticidae

Identification: Male/Female Palp Epigynum Male P. cardinalis can be distinguished from male P. apacheanus by the lack of the shiny, green chelicerae found in the latter. See images of faces below ( P. cardinalis/P. apacheanus ):

Castianeira dorsata

Corinnidae

Identification: Palp Epigynum Also, see the content associated with this specimen:

Castianeira floridana

Corinnidae

Castianeira floridana is a species of true spider in the family Corinnidae. It is found in the United States and Cuba.

Castianeira gertschi

Corinnidae

Identification: This species has an abdomen that darkens to dark brown at the posterior end. We believe this is a reliable field marking for this species.

Castianeira thalia

Corinnidae

Identification: There are two main patterns in this species 1. The basic black & white 2. The black & white with overlying red/orange marking These patterns are alluded to in Reiskind 1969, who comments under Remarks: "A single specimen of C. thalia

Castianeira variata

Corinnidae

Identification: This species is similar in general appearance to Castianeira longipalpus . It differs at sight in having the posterior tibiae marked with distinct basal and distal yellow annulae(rings)**. Carapace dark reddish brown to nearly black w

Cellar Spider

Pholcus phalangioides

Pholcidae

Sometimes called the 'Daddy Long-legs Spider' it is relatively easy to identify due to the very long legs and cylindrical body. Pholcus phalangioides is an eight-eyed spider, which is a pale yellow-brown except for a gray patch in the center of the c

Centromerita bicolor

Linyphiidae

Size 3.0 to 3.5 mm. Carapace and legs unicolourous brown to dark brown. Male head with a number of forward directed spines, fewer in females. Abdomen brown to dark brown. If brown then the abdomen has the same colour as the carapace and legs. If dark

Centromerita concinna

Linyphiidae

Length 2 to 3 mm. Prosoma pale yellow, with black margin. Sternum almost black. Chelicerae red-brown. Legs red-brown. Opisthosoma dark grey to black. Spinnerets red-brown. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen

Centromerus cornupalpis

Linyphiidae

Identification: "Cephalothorax, chelicerae, and legs light brown, lightly suffused with gray locally; dorsal and lateral surfaces of abdomen gray with faint indications of light transverse bars posteriorly and with transverse rows of light spots" Pal

Centromerus dilutus

Linyphiidae

This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK species than any other. Most are small and need microscopic examination to identify. No additional images available for this species.

Centromerus sylvaticus

Linyphiidae

Length 2.2-4mm. Prosoma yellow-brown, with dark margin in head region. Sternum brown, suffused with black.. Chelicerae relatively long. Legs yellow-brown, robust. Opisthosoma grey to black, sometimes with bright transverse stripes posteriorly, ventra

Ceraticelus atriceps

Linyphiidae

Identification: This species is very similar to C. fissiceps , but female C. atriceps lack the dorsal scutum of C. fissiceps . Palp: Epigynum:

Ceraticelus bulbosus

Linyphiidae

Ceraticelus bulbosus is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in North America, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Finland, and a range from Russia (Europe to Far East).

Ceraticelus emertoni

Linyphiidae

Identification: Palp: Epigynum: This species is commonly found sweeping grasslands, prairies or similar habitats. (ChH-28 Mar 2024)

Ceraticelus fissiceps

Linyphiidae

Identification: Females have a dorsal scutum that the similar C. atriceps lacks. Palp: Epigynum:

Ceraticelus laetabilis

Linyphiidae

Ceraticelus laetabilis is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States and Canada.

Ceratinella brevipes

Linyphiidae

Size 1 to 1.8 mm. Prosoma brown, with dark radial stripes and margin, opisthosoma dark grey. Confirmation of this species require examination of the genitals of mature specimens. In moss and litter layer in various habitats. http://srs.britishspiders

Ceratinella brevis

Linyphiidae

This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK species than any other. Most are small and need microscopic examination to identify.

Ceratinella scabrosa

Linyphiidae

Body length 1.7 to 2 mm. Opisthosoma grey to grey-brown, dorsally almost completely covered by black-brown scutum. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is required to confirm this species. Dry grassland, ancient woodland, leaf litter. http://srs.

Ceratinops crenatus

Linyphiidae

Ceratinops crenatus is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the USA.

Cercidia prominens

Araneidae

Levi was unsure if this species was introduced to North America due to its spotty distribution. It is well known from the Old World.

Cesonia gertschi

Gnaphosidae

Cesonia gertschi is a species of ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It is found in the United States and Mexico.

Cesonia trivittata

Gnaphosidae

Identification: Voucher Specimen Page creation based on the identification of these images by Dr. Lenny Vincent .

Cheiracanthium erraticum

Miturgidae

A foliage spider. The markings of this spider are distinctive. It has a wide dark red stripe running down the centre of the abdomen, which is in turn surrounded by an area of creamy-yellow. The head is a reddish brown. Usually found among grass and l

Cheiracanthium mildei

Cheiracanthiidae

Identification: C. mildei is a relatively small, pale greenish, tan or straw-colored spider. Its front pair of legs is longer than the others, and all four pairs end in double claws. Male: The male can be recognized by having a pedipalp with 2 equall

Cheliferoides longimanus

Salticidae

Identification: - - - - male - - - - - - - - - - female - - - - Type: Llano Grande, below Weslaco, Hidalgo Co., Texas (male, April 28, 1934, S. Mulaik, holotype, AMNH)

Chilean Tiger Spider

Scytodes globula

Scytodidae

Identification: WSC Often found with Metaltella simoni and Kukulcania hibernalis . Excerpt from Nicolet description: “A primera vista puede creerse que esta especie es un Segador, à causa de lo desmesurado de sus patas.” - At first glance, it can be

Chrosiothes jocosus

Theridiidae

Chrosiothes jocosus is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae. It is found in the United States and Mexico.

Cicurina brevis

Cicurinidae

Cicurina brevis is a species of araneomorph spider in the family Dictynidae. It is found in the USA and Canada.

Cicurina bryantae

Cicurinidae

Makes a distinctive tubular retreat under rotten logs.

Cicurina intermedia

Cicurinidae

Cicurina intermedia is a species of true spider in the family Cicurinidae. It is found in the United States.

Cicurina itasca

Cicurinidae

Cicurina itasca is a species of true spider in the family Hahniidae. It can be found in the United States.

Cicurina simplex

Cicurinidae

Cicurina simplex is a species of true spider in the family Hahniidae. It is found in the United States and Canada.

Cicurina tersa

Cicurinidae

Cicurina tersa is a species of true spider in the family Hahniidae. It is found in the United States.

Clubiona brevipes

Clubionidae

Prosoma red-brown with dark brown-black margin. Chelicerae dark brown to black. Legs yellow. Opisthosoma light brown to dark red-brown. Body length male: 4 to 6 mm, female: 5 to 7 mm. Examination of the genitalia of mature specimens is required to di

Clubiona comta

Clubionidae

Males 3 to 5 mm, females 3.5 to 6 mm - smaller than the other members of this family. Female carapace pale brown, male darker. Pale abdomen with a brown median band broken into 4 to 6 chevrons. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is req

Clubiona corticalis

Clubionidae

One of several very similar Clubiona species – detailed examination is needed for a safe species identification. This species is most commonly found beneath the loose bark of dead and dying trees though it may be found in a range of other habitats. H

Clubiona janae

Clubionidae

Identification: Epigynum Known only from the female.

Clubiona lutescens

Clubionidae

One of several very similar looking Clubiona species. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is necessary to confirm identification. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is necessary to confirm identification. Found in a wide variety of habitat

Clubiona neglecta sensu stricto

Clubionidae

One of several very similar Clubiona species, detailed examination is needed for a safe species identification. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box,

Clubiona pallidula

Clubionidae

Male: 6 to 9 mm; female: 7 to 13 mm. Prosoma yellow-brown to black, black margined. Chelicerae shiny dark blue to black. Legs yellow-brown. Opisthosoma brown-black, white haired. Confirmation of this species requires examination of the genitals of ma

Clubiona phragmitis

Clubionidae

One of several similar looking Clubiona, although this species has much more robust chelicerae than the rest of the genus. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is necessary to confirm identification. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is ne

Clubiona pygmaea

Clubionidae

Clubiona pygmaea is a species of sac spider in the family Clubionidae. It is found in the United States and Canada.

Clubiona reclusa

Clubionidae

This is a medium sized, slightly elongated sac-spider. It is brownish in colour and has a rather velvety appearance. Several other Clubiona species look very similar and identification requires high power magnification to examine the male palpal orga

Clubiona subtilis

Clubionidae

Length 2-4mm. Prosoma light brown to brown. Chelicerae red-brown. Legs light yellow. Opisthosoma light brown to brown. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is necessary to confirm identification. A wetland species of bogs, wet meadows and reedbed

Clubiona terrestris

Clubionidae

A pinkish brown spider with a rather velvety appearance. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is necessary to confirm identification. Microscopic examination of the genitalia is necessary to confirm identification. It is found in a large number o

Cnephalocotes obscurus

Linyphiidae

Males 1.5 to 1.9mm, females 1.5 to 2 mm. Prosoma black-brown. Legs yellow-orange to brown. Opisthosoma dark grey to black with distinct impressed dots. Confirmation of this species requires examination of the genitalia of mature specimens. Found in a

Coelotes atropos

Amaurobiidae

Size: Female 9-12 mm; male 7-9 mm. Red head, thorax and legs with a light brown abdomen with a central cardiac mark. This species lives under stones and logs where it builds a tube-shaped web. The female lays eggs in the tube shaped web and the spide

Coleosoma acutiventer

Theridiidae

Identification: C. acutiventer: carapace and abdomen all dark brownish-black; legs entirely pale yellowish, except for a black streak on the anterior side of the coxa, trochanter, and base of femur I. Males are ant-mimics (constricted abdomen); femal

Coleosoma floridanum

Theridiidae

Coleosoma floridanum is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae. It is found in North, Central and South America, has been introduced into Europe, Macaronesia, West Africa, the Seychelles, and the Pacific Islands.

Collinsia oxypaederotipus

Linyphiidae

Collinsia oxypaederotipus is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States.

Colonus hesperus

Salticidae

Identification: Unlike the other two species, Colonus hesperus does not have the two longitudinal white stripes on the abdomen. Instead, the abdomen is yellowish with scattered black setae and numerous black dots. Epigynum: Palp:

Colonus puerperus

Salticidae

Identification: Epigynum: Palp: See "Notes on the jumping spiders Colonus puerperus (Hentz 1846) and Colonus sylvanus (Hentz 1846) in the southeastern United States" for info on distinguishing Colonus puerperus from Colonus sylvanus .

Colonus sylvanus

Salticidae

Common Candy-striped Spider sensu lato

Enoplognatha ovata sensu lato

Theridiidae

Approximately 6mm from front of head to back of abdomen. There is a pale creamy-green coloured variety (form lineata), a form with two red stripes along the abdomen (redimita form) and another variation where the two red stripes are replaced by a sin