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)

Falconina gracilis

Corinnidae

Identification: Male: Female: "This South American species has been introduced to the Gulf States and seems to be associated with the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta in Texas (J Cokendolpher, pers. comm.)" ( 4 )

False Widow Spider

Steatoda nobilis

Theridiidae

Sometimes known as the Noble False Widow spider - adults are usually larger than both Steatoda bipunctata and Steatoda grossa - the body length of an adult female false widow spider is around 15 millimetres, males are a little smaller. Maximum leg le

Fierce Orbweaver

Araneus saevus

Araneidae

Identification: “It is apparently quite consistent in color and pattern, being dark gray with a large, broad white slash down the front of the abdomen." - Terry Thormin Light-colored specimens of this species also occur:

Fingered Cobweaver

Hentziectypus globosus

Theridiidae

Identification: All specimens examined ... had the characteristic black spot on the abdomen, and the species can thereby readily be distinguished from A. conjuncta . Epigynum: Palp:

Florida Argiope

Argiope florida

Araneidae

Argiope florida, known generally as the Florida argiope or Florida garden spider, is a species of orb weaver in the family of spiders known as Araneidae. It is found in the United States.

Florida wandering spiders

Ctenus captiosus

Ctenidae

Ctenus captiosus, known generally as the Florida false wolf spider or tropical wolf spider, is a species of wandering spider in the family Ctenidae. It is found in the United States.

Floronia bucculenta

Linyphiidae

Length. 4 to 5 mm. Prosoma yellowish with wide black margins extending to the eye area. A median strip or another type of prosoma drawing is not pronounced. Opisthosoma dorsally brown to grey base colour and a clear white spot or plate-like marbling,

Four-spotted Orb Weaver

Araneus quadratus

Araneidae

Females can reach 17 mm in length, males approximately half that. The abdomen colour is quite variable, ranging from dark brown to bright orange or yellowy-green. The legs are banded. The appearance of males is quite different from that of the larger

Frontinella huachuca

Linyphiidae

Identification: "Carapace pale yellowish brown, the pars thoracica faintly marked with dusky radiating lines, the clothing a very sparse covering of inconspicuous short hairs. Dorsum of abdomen creamy white, medially marked with a narrow longitudinal

Gea heptagon

Araneidae

Identification: Palp This is the only member belonging to this genus.

Geolycosa gosoga

Lycosidae

Geolycosa gosoga is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. It is found in the United States.

Geolycosa turricola

Lycosidae

Geolycosa turricola is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. It is found in the United States.

Geolycosa wrighti

Lycosidae

Geolycosa wrighti lines its burrows thickly with silk. The burrow entrance is not decorated with a turret, as is the case with many Geolycosa burrows.

Gertsch's Triangleweaver

Hyptiotes gertschi

Uloboridae

Identification: Adults can be distinguished from other species of Hyptiotes by specific features of the epigynum or palp. Given the known distribution of the four species in the genus, it might be reasonable to include geographic location as a diagn

Gertschanapis shantzi

Anapidae

Gertschanapis is a genus of North American araneomorph spiders in the Anapidae family, containing the single species, Gertschanapis shantzi. It was first described by Norman I. Platnick & Raymond Robert Forster in 1990, and has only been found in Uni

Ghelna canadensis

Salticidae

Ghelna canadensis is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is found in the United States and Canada.

Giant House Spider

Eratigena duellica

Agelenidae

Eratigena duellica, the giant house spider, is a species of funnel weaver in the spider family Agelenidae. It is found in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The related species Eratigena atrica is also called the Giant house spider.

Giant Lichen Orbweaver

Araneus bicentenarius

Araneidae

Identification: Female (dorsal/ventral) Male coloration as in female, but with a longitudinal white mark anterior on dorsum; second tibia unusually large.

Gibbaranea gibbosa

Araneidae

A medium-sized orb-weaver (females up to 7mm long) with prominent tubercles on the shoulders of the abdomen. It is often attractively marked with some degree of green and sometimes also pinkish red. The spider spins an orb web on trees and shrubs, es

Glyphesis scopulifer

Linyphiidae

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

Gnaphosa borea

Gnaphosidae

Identification: Left Palp (ventral, retrolateral, mesal-ventral)

Gnaphosa sericata

Gnaphosidae

Gnaphosa sericata is a species of ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It is found in a range from the United States to Guatemala and Cuba.

Gnathonarium dentatum

2-3mm long, prosoma brown, eye region, foveal area and radial stripes darker. Legs orange-yellow. Opisthosoma grey-black, dorsally with brighter longitudinal stripes. This is one of the 'money spiders' in the Linyphidae family - which has more UK spe

Golden Silk Orbweaver

Trichonephila clavipes

Araneidae

Identification: Male Female has a long cylindrical body, up to about 50mm or 2" by the end of the season, yellow to brownish-orange abdomen with silvery spots and silvery cephalothorax. Three of its four pairs of legs have hairy black patches above t

Gonatium rubellum

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.

Gonatium rubens

Linyphiidae

Found in a variety of open habitats, in grass tussocks, mosses and gorse. All year round peaking August to October, with female numbers spiking again in April and May. Widespread and quite frequent in Britain. 5874 British records for this species to

Gongylidiellum vivum

Linyphiidae

Length 1.2-2mm. Prosoma yellow-brown. Legs yellow-brown. Opisthosoma light grey to black-grey. Microscopic examination of the of the genitalia is required to confirm this species. In moss, grass and leaf litter, often in damp situations. Adults of bo

Gongylidium rufipes

Linyphiidae

A small dark bodied spider. Detailed examination is needed for correct identification. Gongylidium rufipes occurs mainly in undergrowth and on bushes and trees in woodland but also in damp and wet situations and in a wide variety of other habitats in

Grammonota angusta

Linyphiidae

Identification: Palp: Epigynum-ventral "Tibia of palpus armed dorsolaterally with a large apophysis, at the base of which is a sharp tooth on the dorsal surface; a second, smaller tooth at middle of distal margin."

Grammonota capitata

Linyphiidae

Grammonota capitata is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States.

Grammonota kincaidi

Linyphiidae

Grammonota kincaidi is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States.

Gray Wall Jumper

Menemerus bivittatus

Salticidae

Identification: Female & Male together Non-native, likely introduced from the Old World tropics.

Groenland Wolf Spider

Pardosa groenlandica

Lycosidae

Pardosa groenlandica is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. It is found in Russia, Canada, the United States, and Greenland.

Habronattus amicus

Salticidae

Identification: A distinct characteristic of the male is its "hairy" abdomen. Also note the unmodified 1st and 3rd legs and the black tarsi at the end of the male forelegs. Male: Female: This species exhibits a wide degree of geographic variation wit

Habronattus californicus

Salticidae

Habronattus californicus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is found in the United States and Mexico.

Habronattus clypeatus

Salticidae

Identification: Male Female H. dossenus and H. clypeatus are very similar and both occur in southern Arizona. In the eastern part of their overlapping range, they are fairly distinct, but in the western part, they may be difficult to tell apart, espe

Habronattus coecatus

Salticidae

Habronattus coecatus is a species of jumping spiders from a Salticidae family, that can be found in Mexico, the United States, and Bermuda.

Habronattus conjunctus

Salticidae

Habronattus conjunctus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is found in the United States and Mexico.

Habronattus dossenus

Salticidae

Identification: Male H. dossenus and H. clypeatus are very similar and both occur in southern Arizona. In the eastern part of their overlapping range, they are fairly distinct, but in the western part, they may be difficult to tell apart, especially

Habronattus formosus

Salticidae

Habronattus formosus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is found in the United States.

Habronattus icenoglei

Salticidae

Habronattus icenoglei is a species of jumping spider (family Salticidae). It is found in the southwestern United States and north-central Mexico.

Habronattus klauseri

Salticidae

Habronattus klauseri is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is found in the United States and Mexico.

Habronattus luminosus

Salticidae

Identification: Male First specimens known collected at Sunglow, AZ (Cochise Co.) by B. & V. Roth, in July 1977. Face of male turns greenish in alcohol. In life, face of male is bright blue, surrounded by orange. Rediscovered by M. Girard in 2012 in

Habronattus orbus

Salticidae

Identification: Male Female Epigynum (ventral/dorsal):

Habronattus peckhami

Salticidae

Habronattus peckhami is a species of spider in the family Salticidae. It is found in the USA.

Habronattus sabulosus

Salticidae

Habronattus sabulosus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is found in the southeastern United States.

Hahnia helveola

Hahniidae

Length 2.2-3mm. Prosoma yellow-brown, with distinct spot in foveal region. Opisthosoma pale yellow with dark chevrons. This species can only be confirmed by examination of the genitalia of mature specimens. Widespread in south east England, scattered

Hakka himeshimensis

Salticidae

Hakka himeshimensis is a species of the spider family Salticidae (jumping spiders). It is the only species in the genus Hakka. H. himeshimensis is native to East Asia, but has been introduced to the United States. It is most commonly found in rocky c

Hamataliwa helia

Oxyopidae

Hamataliwa helia is a species of lynx spider in the family Oxyopidae. It is found in the United States, Mexico, Guyana, Thailand, Malaysia (Sarawak), Brunei, and Indonesia (Sumatra).

Haplodrassus bicornis

Gnaphosidae

Haplodrassus bicornis is a species of ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It is found in the United States and Canada.

Harpactea hombergi

Dysderidae

5 to 7 mm. Carapace dark brown, tapering towards head area with six eyes. Abdomen grey-brown, tubular. Legs annulated. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments b

Harvestman Cellar Spider

Pholcus opilionoides

Pholcidae

Identification: Epigynum It will be rare for BugGuide to get submissions of any of the ten endemic (native) Pholcus , so it will mostly only be the three (so far) introduced/non-native species that we will see and need to differentiate, thus here is

Heliophanus flavipes

Salticidae

A small species at around 5 mm. A striking spider with a dark body covered with numerous paler hairs which are sometimes golden. Its legs and palps are a golden lemony yellow in colour. Identification of this species "Requires examination at high mag

Helophora insignis

Linyphiidae

Identification: Male/Female Palp, retrolateral view Epigynum

Helophora reducta

Linyphiidae

Helophora reducta is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is found in the United States.

Hentzia alamosa

Salticidae

Hentzia alamosa is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is only known from Texas in the United States.

Herpyllus cockerelli

Gnaphosidae

Identification: Palp Syntypes were collected from Mesilla Park, Dona Ana Co., New Mexico.

Herpyllus hesperolus

Gnaphosidae

Identification: Palp Epigynum (undissected/ventral dissected/dorsal dissected)

Heser schmitzi

Gnaphosidae

Identification: Similar to Heser nilicola , which is also found in California, but can be distinguished by details of the genitalic morphology. Palp Epigynum

Hesperocranum rothi

Liocranidae

Hesperocranum is a genus of spiders in the family Liocranidae. It was first described in 1991 by Ubick & Platnick. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Hesperocranum rothi, found in the U.S.

Hexura rothi

Antrodiaetidae

Hexura rothi is a species of spider in the Mecicobothriidae family. It was described by Gertsch & Platnick, 1979 - USA.

Hexurella apachea

Hexurellidae

Hexurella apachea is a species of spider native to the United States. It was first described by Gertsch and Platnick in 1979. It is from the family Hexurellidae.

Hibana cambridgei

Anyphaenidae

Identification: Epigynum (undissected/dissected ventral/dissected dorsal):

Hogna angusta

Lycosidae

Identification: At one point described as an inland form (FL) of H. timuqua due to the male palp being identical, and species being similar in appearance. However, there is obvious difference in the female epigynum, currently separating the two. H. t

Hogna baltimoriana

Lycosidae

Identification: Very similar to lenta, but with markings more pronounced. However, the coxae are not black beneath, the sternum may be. Sternum black, chelicerae dark reddish to black. Abdomen yellowish with 5 or 6 chevrons posteriorly. Heart mark br

Hogna coloradensis

Lycosidae

Identification: Drawing on Slowik & Cushing , this is clearly Hogna coloradensis. They write that the species "can be separated from all other Hogna and Lycosidae by a dark area immediately anterior to the epigastric furrow as well as a small dark ar

Hogna frondicola

Lycosidae

Identification: Dark brown with light grey markings. The venter is black. Carapace generally has a wide grey stripe down the center and white on the edges. There are also two to four black dots in the center of the abdomen.

Hogna timuqua

Lycosidae

Identification: Wallace, 1942 Fig. 5, 6 male Fig. 20 female Fig. 19 = angusta

Hololena dana

Agelenidae

Hololena dana is a species of funnel weaver in the family of spiders known as Agelenidae. It is found in the United States.

Hololena santana

Agelenidae

Hololena santana is a species of funnel weaver in the family of spiders known as Agelenidae. It is found in the United States.

Hololena tentativa

Agelenidae

Hololena tentativa is a species of funnel weaver in the family of spiders known as Agelenidae. It is found in the United States.

Homalonychus selenopoides

Homalonychidae

Homalonychus selenopoides is a species of true spider in the family Homalonychidae. It is found in the United States and Mexico.

Horned Parasitic Cobweaver

Neospintharus trigonum

Theridiidae

Identification: The male has two horns tipped with hair on the tip of the cephalothorax (head).

Horse-head spider

Stemonyphantes lineatus

Linyphiidae

Relatively easy to identify, this is a stunningly marked and colourful spider. The pinkish mottled body has a darker central band of varying strength. The head is light brown and also has a darker central line. Usually found at or near ground level i

House Spider

Eratigena duellica sensu stricto

Agelenidae

Examination of the genitalia is required to confirm this species, and some specimens may be intermediate hybrids. If in doubt, record to genus only as Eratigena or as Giant House-spider agg. In hollow trees, under stones in warm locations, often in b

Humpbacked Orbweaver

Eustala anastera

Araneidae

Identification: E. anastera has 6 basic patterns. Here are 3 that match Levi's drawing very well: Epigynum & scape

Humped bog orbweaver

Araneus corticarius

Araneidae

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

Hybauchenidium gibbosum

Linyphiidae

Identification: Palp: Epigynum: The cephalic region of the male

Hyetussa complicata

Salticidae

Identification: H. complicata mature males have a single pair of lateral abdominal spots, females have two pairs. pers. comm. GB Edwards Type: Texas (male, Hidalgo Co., below Weslaco, Llano Grande, April 27, 1934, S. Mulaik, holotype, AMNH)

Hylyphantes graminicola

Linyphiidae

Males: 2.25 to 2.6 mm, females: 2.5 to 3.0 mm. Confirmation requires microscopic examination of the genitalia of adult specimens. Favours Gorse but can also be found on Hawthorn and Blackthorn. http://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Summary/s/

Hypomma bituberculatum

Linyphiidae

Male: 2.2 to 2.5 mm, female 2.5 to 3 mm. Prosoma red-orange to red-brown. Legs yellow to red-orange. Opisthosoma black. Examination of the genitalia is required to confirm this species. http://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Summary/s/Hypomma+

Hypomma cornutum

Linyphiidae

Size 2.1 to 2.8 mm. Prosoma brown to red-brown. Legs yellow-orange. Opisthosoma black. This species can only be confirmed by examination of the genitalia of mature specimens. Mainly found in woodland, on bushes, trees and herbaceous vegetation. Wides

Hypositticus pubescens

Salticidae

A small (5 mm) but sprightly jumping spider with a large and quite angular head and a hairy body patterned with browns, black and light greys. Identification of this species "Requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically exam

Hypselistes florens

Linyphiidae

Identification: The cephalothorax is bright orange. The coxae, trochanters and femora are similar in coloring, but the remaining leg segments are grey or pigmented with black. See pictures below of the male's cephalic lobe and distinctive pedipalp. T

Hypsosinga pygmaea

Araneidae

Body length 3 to 4.5 mm. Prosoma black-brown, eye region and margin slightly brighter. Prosoma black-brown. Sternum black (c.f. Hypsosinga sanguinea - sternum yellowish red, sometimes darkened). Legs reddish yellow, unicoloured. Opisthosoma strongly

Iberina montana

Hahniidae

Length 1.4 to 2 mm. Prosoma yellowish, suffused with black. Opisthosoma dark with vague chevrons. This species can only be confirmed by examination of the genitalia of mature specimens. In leaf litter and moss in damp areas. Occasionally in grassland

Invisible Spider

Drapetisca socialis

Linyphiidae

The white on the abdomen varies but the pattern on the carapace is recognisable. They are smallish spiders, up to 4 mm. This spider is usually found on the lower trunks of trees, particularly Beech. It spins a very fine web which is almost invisible

Kaestneria pullata

Linyphiidae

Males: 2 to 3 mm, females: 2 to 3.2 mm. Variable in appearance but generally dark, abdomen often with paler chevrons. Microscopic examination of genitalia is required to confirm identity. Widespread in much of Britain, becoming scattered in the north

Kaira altiventer

Araneidae

Identification: "The epigynum of the female, unlike that of K. alba, has a flat, triangular, curved scape, the tip projecting anteriorly and, like K . alba but unlike others, no humps or tubercles on the posterior of the abdomen. The tiny male can be

Kaston’s Funnelweb Spider

Agelenopsis kastoni

Agelenidae

Agelenopsis kastoni is a species of funnel weaver in the family of spiders known as Agelenidae. It is found in the United States.

Khalotyna calcarata

Dictynidae

Identification: Palp Common Dictynid throughout the Western United States.

Koch's Wolf Spider

Alopecosa kochi

Lycosidae

Identification: The female of this species has short banded legs, a broad tan stripe down the center of the carapace and faint paired white/tan spots along opposite sides of the abdomen. The male

Kukulcania hurca

Filistatidae

Close to K. geophila but larger, paler in coloration with longer legs.

Labyrinth Orbweaver

Metepeira labyrinthea

Araneidae

Identification: The Spiders of the Eastern US says that the Metepeira labyrinthea can be distinguished from other orbweavers by having longer terminal leg segments "(tarsus plus metatarsus longer than tibia plus patella)". It does have the longitudin

Lace-weaver Spider

Amaurobius similis

Amaurobiidae

Female to 12 mm; male to 8 mm. Distinctive, with a glossy brown carapace and legs and a velvety abdomen with a dark anterior wedge-shaped marking surrounded by cream. It often lives around buildings where it occupies holes in walls, fences, window fr

Lake Placid Funnel-web Spider

Sosippus placidus

Lycosidae

Sosippus species are not wholly dependent on their webs for prey capture. They will abandon their webs and forage like typical lycosids if no prey for extended periods. Should potential prey escape web before the spider can reach it, placidus will re

Larinioides cornutus

Araneidae

Females reach a body length of about 13 mm, males up to 8 mm. A variable species with a dark, distinct V-shape on the abdomen above which there a two pincer like markings. Prosoma (cephalothorax) brown (c.f. Larinioides sclopetarius - prosoma grey).

Larinioides patagiatus

Araneidae

Identification: The Larinioides page describes how to differentiate species of this genus. The carapace of this species can be yellow to orange. Vouchers (Female/Male) Palp Epigynum Eye Arrangement: Web

Larinioides sclopetarius

Araneidae

Females reach a body length of about 10 mm, males are somewhat smaller. Generally black and white and sometimes velvet-like in appearance, prosoma (cephalothorax) grey (c.f. Larinioides cornutus - prosoma brown). Confirmation of this species: "Requir

Lathys humilis

Dictynidae

To 2.5mm. Legs grey and annulated. The opisthosoma is greenish brown with a dark or red-brown pattern dorsally, consisting of longitudinal lines and chevrons. The spider occurs on bushes and trees in woodland and scrub, and can be beaten off oak, hol