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Silver
Argiope
(08/29/2005) Who is this guy??
We saw this spider on a hike in San Diego County (near El
Cajon) a couple of weeks ago. He was beautiful! Thanks for
any leads,
Kristin
Hi Kristen,
She is a Silver Argiope, Argiope argentata. This southern
species is usually found head down in its orb web.
Golden
Argiope eats Dog Day Harvestfly
(08/28/2005) Spider
I live in South Jersey and found this beauty next to my shop.
He is about 2" big and was going to eat his dinner, (
cicada) a bug as big he is. I will send a couple
of pictures. Thanks.
Frank
Hi Frank
We get so many Golden Argiope images in that we don't even
bother posting them anymore. Yours, however, is quite special.
thanks.
Dolomedes triton
(08/25/2005) I think I've identified it on my own!
Thanks for your help!
x Danielle
Hi Danielle,
We are wondering what you think you have here. This is definitely
a Dolomedes Fishing Spider. The silvery white line around
the cephalothorax is a good indication this is Dolomedes triton,
but the spots on the abdomen seem to be missing. That is still
our best guess at a species identification as it doesn't resemble
any other Dolomedes.
A pair of Banana Spiders cohabitate
(08/22/2005) spider
Can you tell me if this is a banana spider or orb spider or
if they are two different spiders?
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
We love your photograph. These are Banana Spiders or Golden
Silk Spiders, Nephila clavipes. It is a pair. The male is
much smaller than the female, often a mere 1/100 of her body
weight. He shares a web with her, and this cohabitation must
have some symbiotic significance other than just proximity
for mating. Perhaps he gets protection and also benefits from
the insects trapped in her web. Banana Spiders are in the
group known as Orb Weavers.
Rabid
Wolf Spider
(08/18/2005) More lovely spiders from Bucks County, PA...
Hello again, Sir Bugman.
Here is what we have researched to be a species of Wolf spider.
This superspider went scurrying across our living room floor,
pursued by our three insectivore cats. We got to it before
the felines could snack on him. We though he was a mouse at
first! This spider was enormous! We managed to capture it
in a big tupperware for photography and release. We let it
go out behind our house, so it could continue ridding our
backyard of insect pests and the stray small dog...
David
Hi David,
Gorgeous image of a Rabid Wolf Spider, Lycosa rabida. This
beautiful spider is harmless, but greatly feared, hence the
name rabid. According to a legend, the only way to cure the
bite of its close European relative is to dance the tarentella,
a wild Italian dance.
Green
Lynx Spiders, Mating???
(08/16/2005) Any idea's?
These guy's (?) were taken in north Alabama. Don't know
exactly what they are doing or what they are.
Bud Watkins
Hi Bud,
We know some things and can speculate on the rest. These are
Green Lynx Spiders, Peucetia viridans, our personal favorite
spiders. The spider on the left, or as we reproduced your
image, on top, is a female. The other appears to be a male.
This seems to be a mating ritual. It could end in dinner for
the lady. Great photo.
Orb Weavers Mating
(08/15/2005) Spiderwars?
I am sending you these pictures that my husband recently took
of the spiders outside our sliding glass door. Are
they dangerous? There are tons in my garden. The
webs are VERY sticky, tough, and the spiders themselves have
sticky little feet...I had one crawling on me the other day,
and nearly died of heart failure. These gems are
about 1 to 1.5 inches and the smaller skinny one is more aggressive
than the fat one. I can assume that they are a
Mr. and Mrs., but which is which? In the garden,
when you see one spider, you don't really have to look far
to see a separate web with the partner in close proximity. Local
people call them "quarterbacks" as the bulbous body
can easily reach the size of a quarter. If they
do bite, do you know what a remedy is (if needed?) Thank you
for the help.
Ruth
Hi Ruth,
There are so many similar looking Araneus species as well
as so much variation within a species, that we have given
up trying to get species names on Orb Weavers. Let's just
call them a pair of Araneus Orb Weaving Spiders. The female
has the more bulbous abdomen. The bite is not dangerous and
they would really have to be provoked to bite anyways. The
weather this year created a population explosion of insects,
and hence, their predators like spiders are also plentiful.
Sowbug
Killer
(08/07/2005) Mystery Spider, Utah
Hi,
My name is Sydney and I am eight years old. I live in
Salt Lake City, Utah. My aunt caught this wierd spider in
her bedroom. No one in my family has ever seen this kind of
spider before. Can you tell me what kind this is and
if it is dangerous or harmless?
Sydney
Hi Sydney,
This is a Sowbug Killer, Dysdera crocota. It is one of the
few predators that will feed on sowbugs. They are harmless.
Herpyllus vasifer
(08/06/2005) Spider
Do you know what kind of spider this is?
Thanks
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
Herpyllus vasifer is found under stones and rubbish on the
ground, between boards and in crevices in dark placesl. It
runs with exceeding rapidity. It is widely distributed in
the U.S.
Arrow-Shaped Micrathena
(08/03/2005) We found this in our backyard in Winchester VA
If you find out what this is, could you please let us know.
I'm most interested to learn if it is poisonious or not.
Thanks much!
Alicia
Hi Alicia,
This is an Arrow-Shaped Micrathena female, Micrathena sagittata.
It is found at woodland edges, shrubby meadows and gardens
in the East, ranging as far west as Texas. They are harmless
orb weavers. Do you know the famous pediatrician Winston Lutz
of Winchester?
Hawaiian
Argiope
(08/03/2005) A golden bell spider
Aloha -
Didn't see these girls on your site, so here you go. These
are not that large, yet. Can't get a ruler near them since
they're rather shy. One has only 7 legs. Their webs don't
have the ususal white zig zag lines which perhaps indicates
maturity (just guessing). Haven't seen any males around them
yet. Yes, I have an outdoor shower. Therefore they're titled
that way. Mahalo no (thanks indeed) for your excellent site.
Eliza
Hi Eliza,
A bit of research could probably lead us to a scientific name
for your Hawaiian Argiope, but we are satisfied with your
common name of Golden Bell Spider for now. thanks for the
images to add to our ever growing archive.
Gasteracantha elipsoides: "Come Into My Parlor"
(08/01/2005) Spiny-back orb weaver
Hi – just wanted to add to your spiny-back orb weaver
collection. Wish I had known about this site last year
when I first found this guy and didn’t know what he
was! Decided to feed him anyway and got some pics.
Enjoy!
Gregory
Hi Gregory,
What a nice photo of the Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver.
Fishing
Spider eats Lizard
(08/01/2005)spider/ brown anole carnage
Dear bugman-
We saw this spider kill a brown anole in a swamp in Big Cypress
National Preserve. It was about 4- 4 1/2"
in diameter. We couldn't figure out exactly what species it
was, we were hoping you could help. These spiders are all
over this part of the preserve, would they ever bother humans? We
also just thought it was a cool picture for your website,
we hope you use it. Thanks bugman.
Lisa and Jimi
Hi Lisa and Jimi,
Awesome photo of one of the Dolomedes Fishing Spiders. They
walk on water and dive below the surface to catch fish as
well as catching lizards on trees.
Nursery
Web Spider (Dolomedes) with eggsac
(07/31/2005) fishing spider ?
Hi,
Just logged onto your neat site. I think I have a fishing
spider here, but not sure what it's carrying. Can you help
me out.
Thank you, Al Chartier
 
Hi Al
Fishing Spiders in the genus Dolomedes belong to the larger
Family Pisauridae, the Nursery-Web Weavers. The female spiders,
according to Comstock: "From the time the egg-sac is made
until the spiderlings are ready to emerge, the mother carries
about with her, wherever she goes, this great silken ball
with its load of eggs or of young. the difficulty of doing
this can be seen by a glance at ... [your photos]. The egg-sac
is held under the body; and is so large thaqt the mother is
forced to run on the tips of her tarsi in order to hold the
load clear of obstructions. ... Just before the young are
ready to emerge from the egg-sac, or just after they begin
to do so, the mother fastens it among leaves at the top of
some herbaceous plant or at th end of a branch of a shrub,
and builds a nursery about it by fastening the leaves together
with a network of threaeds. She then remains on the outside
of the nursery guarding the young." Thank you for your wonderful
contribution to our site.
Argyrodes nephilae
(07/31/2005) can you identify this spider?
I've attached a picture of spider I found on a bush outside
my house (I live in western PA). I've looked everywhere
on the web, but haven't been able to identify it. I've
never seen anything like it before. The closest type
it resembled was the horny orb weaver, but wrong part of the
country. Can you help?
thanks
Ann
p.s. I'm still trying to get a better shot of it, but it's
not moving around much.
Hi Ann,
Our old Comstock book identifies this orb weaver as Argyrodes
nephilae. It is common in the South and is distinctive because
of the triangular abdomen. Comstock writes: "that a large
part of the upper portion of the abdomen is silver-white;
so that it appears like a drop of quicksilver." It sometimes
leads an independant life and other times it shares a web
with Nephila clavipes in a communal existance.
Long
Jawed Orb Weaver
(07/27/2005) Hi Bugman
Hi,
We are in Michigan and took pics of these 2 bugs. We would
like to know what kind of caterpillar this is. This one was
found in the cosmos flowers. We have a lot of these caterpillars
like this right now. Hopefully it is going to be a beautiful
butterfly. The other pic is some kind of weird spider, we
think. It looks like it is making the web, or trying to get
out.
Thanks,
Linda
Hi Linda,
Your spider is a Long Jawed Orb Weaver in the genus Tetragnatha.
Tetragnatha laboriosa is a common species that ranges throughout
the U.S. Your caterpillar is either a Tiger Moth or Tussock
Moth.
Golden
Orb Weaver
(07/23/2005) Argiope aurantia
Hi Bugman! I was able to identify this critter using your
site and thought I'd send you a picture. This is the biggest
spider I've ever seen in my life, it's even bigger than some
tarantulas I've seen! I would estimate her size as at least
4 inches not including legs. I found her behind an abandoned
house in Weir, TX. Directly above the spiders web was a large
paper wasp nest that I suspect was a food source, but how
does the spider avoid getting stung?
STEVE BREWER
Hi Steve,
Great photo. I'm sure the spider's long legs help prevent
the stinging. The belly is a weak area, but if the spider's
legs are long enough, the belly never gets close enough to
the ensnared wasp.
Araneus
Orb Weaver
(07/23/2005) need help identifying spider
I looked through the collection of spider pictures on your
site and could not find one that resembles the spider living
in the corner of our patio cover. It is yellowish-orange and
has a protrusion on each side of the top of its abdomen. Attached
are some photos. Please help identify it and let us know whether
or not it is poisonous. Thanks,
Sean
Albuquerque NM
Hi Sean,
This is an Araneus Orb Weaver. It is often very difficult
to identify exact species as there is so much variation within
individual species. Though all spiders are poisonous, this
group does not pose a threat to humans.
Drowning
Casualty: Golden Huntsman Spider
(07/22/2005) Mesa Arizona. Found dead at the bottom of my
pool , June 2005 . Brown recluse? Spider had hairs, which
haven ' t come out in the photo.
 
Not a Recluse, but a Golden Huntsman Spider, on of the
Giant Crab Spiders.
Crab
Spider
(07/21/2005) Spider
Hello,
My father-in-law found this spider in his garden in Sudbury
Ontario Canada. Any idea of what it is? Is it
harmless?
Thanks
John Sauve
Hi John,
Your father-in-law found a Crab Spider, also known as a Goldenrod
Spider or Flower Spider, Misumena vatia. It is harmless except
to flying critters that visit the flowers it is usually hiding
upon.
Ant-Mimic Jumping Spider
(07/20/2005) some kind of tiny spider
i got some great pics of this little guy; perhaps you can
help me
identify him. the drain he's posing by is 2.5" across,
so he's quite tiny.
i live in south florida. thanks, i'm in love with your site.
lish
 
Hi Lish,
This is an Ant-Mimic Jumping Spider, possibly Peckhamia picata.
Jumping Spiders, Family Salticidae, are good hunters, do not
build webs, and have excellent eyesight. Most are very small,
but not as small as your little one.
Grass Spider Webs
(07/19/2005) Spider Pictures on lawn -in plants
Hi,
These are the spiders I wrote you about yesterday, as you
can see they are all over our porch, plants, and lawn. Thank
you!
Beth in RI
 
Hi Beth,
You have Grass Spiders, Agelenopsis species. They are found
in grassy areas and low shrubs and near buildings. They build
a horizontal sheet web with a funnel extending from the center
to one edge. They run quickly when an unlucky insect stumbles
into the web. The webs become very obvious in the morning
when covered in dew. Nice lawn photo.
Golden Huntsman Spider
(07/14/2005) Wolf Spider or Desert Recluse
I need your help. It is a big spider about 3’
in diameter. Comes out every night to hunt to find prey.
Is it dangerous?
Thanks for your help!
Michael
Age 8
Hi Michael,
Your letter came at a perfect time. Another person just described
this spider but had no photo, so I will forward it. This is
a Golden Huntsman Spider, Olios fasciculatus. It lives in
shady woodlands, thickets and homes in New Mexico and Utah,
west to California. It builds no web but wanders slowly in
search of prey at night. It is not dangerous.
Wolf
Spider: Mother Drowns, Spiderlings Survive
(07/14/2005)
Sadly I found this spider dead in our swimming pool skimmer.
When I looked closely I found that there were many tiny baby
spiders clinging to the mother. I was surprised that
they were able to survive. Can you tell me what kind of spider
this is and do you think the young spiders can survive?
Kathy
Hi Again Kathy,
Your spider is a Wolf Spider. The mother often carries the
spiderlings on her back for several days to weeks. Though
they survived the drowning, there are many perils awaiting
young spiderlings, so they will not all survive, but some
surely will.
Jumping
Spider
(07/14/2005) Hello Bugman,
I was woken up abruptly this morning by my wife who wanted
to warn me that there was a spider stalking my
pillow. I captured it and took
some pictures for you. I would like to know what
it is. Any time I see a spider which doesn't
look like some relative of the prolific wolf spider,
I always want to know what it is ;) I live in
Reno Nevada. Some description: This spider seems to be unable
to climb glass, unlike most I find around here. It's
very timid despite being found on my pillow while
I was sleeping. It races to the other side of the
glass any time I want to take a picture of it. Thus
the poor quality images. It's a bit
smaller than a dime, and is extremely fast. It
seems to teleport around occasionally, however
it started moving slower once it was in the glass
for awhile. The two fangs in the front appear
to be white and fuzzy. Also,
I could have been hallucinating, but the grey
stripe on it's back looked red to me when I first caught him.
looks very similar to a small version of the spider that was
sucking Sheppard's neck off in Stargate atlantis
to me. :D Maybe that's why it was on
my pillow. Close call, phew.
Eluusive
Hi Eluusive,
Nice letter. You have a Jumping Spider from the Family Salticidae.
Like Wolf Spiders, they are hunting spiders. Jumping Spiders
are diurnal hunters that do not build a web. They depend upon
their excellent eyesight to spring upon flies and other insects
they encounter in their wanderings. They are harmless.
Excellent! Do they really change color or was I hallucinating? He's
very happy to know this information, as I was able to release
him outside on bail now that I know he's not some kind of
mutant killer spider. Also, I have some more pictures I
thought you might like. I found this guy a few years ago
when I lived in northern california (Ukiah to be specific). It
was a very frightening experience. (It looks very vicious.) I'd
never seen a spider that big other than a tarantula. So
I did some research, It looked like some type of Argiope
from Europe, all the USA types I found didn't even look
close. I don't think they're native to that area of california,
either that or they don't like the limelight at all. I only
saw one of them in 16 years of living there. It was interesting
to find out that they are the real "Garden Spiders." We
always had always thought of Garden Spiders as these little
spiders that sort of look like wolf spiders but are completely
white. Unlike the wolf spiders, the white "Garden spiders"
liked to dangle from the ceiling inside the house and scare
you if they managed to get in. (I'd put my finger up and
steal their tether line and dangle them about and take them
back outside. Any idea what the white ones were if they
aren't garden spiders?) So are you an entomologist, or just
a like bugs?
Sha
Hi Again Sha,
This is a Banded Argiope, Argiope trifasciata. It is native.
The white spiders you ask about are probably Cream House Spiders.
Don't tell anyone, but we are not entomologists. This site
started as a lark and now is out of control. It takes many
hours of research for some postings, hence the lagtime between
receipt and answering.
Alaskan
Orb Weaver
(07/11/2005) Help ID'ing spider?
I think this may be some type of Orb Weaver spider, but I
am not sure. The markings are different from every picture
I've seen, and I've gone through enough pics to
give myself nightmares for a year. She lives under the eaves
of my mom and dad's house, hides during the day and is out
on a web at night. I'd say about an inch
and a half in size. Any information you could give
me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Jennifer
Kenai, Alaska
Hi Jennifer,
Yes, an Araneas Orb Weaver. Nice coloration. There is often
much variation within individual species. This coloration
looks like it mimics bird droppings which probably contributes
to longevity.
Maternal
Wolf Spider and Brood
(07/09/2005) Wolf Spider
thought you might like this pic taken in my new jersey backyard.
thanks
faith kessner
Thank you Faith,
We love your photo illustrating the maternal behavior of a
Wolf Spider. We are so sorry it took us so long to post and
answer. We just recently posted a photo of a female wolf spider
fished dead out of a swimming pool. Her body served as a life-raft
for her brood that survived. Thanks again.
Jumping
Spider vs. Japanese Beetle
(07/09/2005) Spider v. Japanese Beetle
Hi Mr. Bugman,
I love your site and have learned much from it. Thank
you for all your hard work. The fuzzy legged spider
in the attached photo was sizing up a Japanese Beetle on my
rose bush located in Sinking Spring, PA. They both were
about the same size so maybe the encounter ended in a standoff.
I've scrolled through your site but didn't find anything that
looked like this spider. Can you help in its identification?
Thanks for your help.
Bob & Elena
Hi Bob and Elena,
We talked to Mom today who lives in Ohio. She said the Japanese
Beetles had appeared. I said that we have never gotten a photo
of one and lo and behold your image arrived. Your spider is
a Jumping Spider from the Family Salticidae. They do not build
webs, but prefer to stalk prey diurnally using their keen
eyesight.
Jumping
Spider
(07/08/2005) What Kind of Spider is this? See picture
This was taken in Edmonton, Alberta Canada - about the size
of a dime to a nickel. I reviewed the photos on your website
and I did not see this kind of spider. Thanks
Danny Bambush
Hi Danny,
This is one of the Jumping Spiders in the family Salticidae.
Nursery Web Spider: Mama and Brood
(07/07/2005) Great Nursery Web Shot!
I know I'm becoming a pain in the patootie, but your website
is the reason I'm less disgusted and more interested in insects
than ever before, and I just had to share these great photos
with you. I stumbled upon this tangle of babies in the bush
in front of my house in Upstate New York, and then found the
momma Pisaurina mira sitting behind the kids! I
ran and got my camera immediately.
She was a real big one, too!
Liz
 
Hi Liz,
Your photos are truly spectacular. Just don't try to bother
Mama spider's brood as she will get very defensive.
Maternal
Wolf Spider with Brood
(07/07/2005) Hi there,
I love your website, and find myself checking it regularly.
I thought you might like a couple of photos I took.
When I first saw the wolf spider from a distance I thought,
“Oh, my God, something has parasitized this spider.”
When I got closer I realized she was carrying babies. She
was pretty big as you can see from the standard 8” brick
she is standing on.
Grace E. Pedalino
Troy, Virginia
Hi Grace,
Your Maternal Wolf Spider with her Brood image is textbook
quality. However does she manage to control them all? Also
check out Grace's Preying
Mantis photo and Walkingstick
photo.
Possibly Orchard Spider
(07/04/2005) Unidentified Spider
I have been to the Bug Guide and I checked all your sections
I cannot find this spider. I live in western North Carolina
in the mountains. I found this spider outside on the
side of the house (log home). I have never seen anything
like it. Approximately 3/8 in long. Abdomen is
a silver barrel shape with black stripes. I have
attached a photo. Any information would be appreciated.
Thank you
Athena Simpson
Hi Athena,
We believe, but are not sure, that this is one of the Orchard
Spiders in the genus Leucauge. There is much variation in
the coloring, sometimes with many gold to orange spots. Was
it in a web? Our Audubon Guide describes Leucauge venusta
as having an "abdomen silvery above with dark stripes, sides
yellow with red spot near tip and red spot underneath."
Six
Spotted Fishing Spider
(07/03/2005) Dear Bugman,
I attached a picture of a spider I found while cleaning a
pond in my backyard in southwest Louisiana. I thought
it was one of the most beautiful spiders I'd ever seen- kind
of a mossy green with blue spots on its abdomen. I did some
research and I'm pretty sure it's a diving spider because
I watched it go under a couple of times. At one
point I think it even attacked a fish. Do you know
the specific name for it and any more info?
Thanks,
Fran
 
Hi Fran,
We are very excited by your letter and photo since the Six
Spotted Fishing Spider is a new species for our site. Dolomedes
triton is a beautiful spider and not easily confused with
any other. It is greenish brown with silvery white lengthwise
stripes along each side of the body. Abdomen has two rows
of six white spots. It is found in slow moving streams and
ponds. They eat small insects, tadpoles and fish. They are
often found on water vegetation. According to Comstock: "This
beautiful species is common in marshy places. It lives on
plants over water, and dives freely when frightened, hiding
under floating leaves. It is widely distributed, found in
the east from New England to Texas, and is also known from
across the northern part of the country in some of our western
states and in Canada."
Crablike
Spiny Orb Weaver
(07/03/2005) Turkey Spider
Hi,
I got carried away & sifted through all my bug pictures
since I got my digital camera & tidied up the best ones
for you. I'll send them in bunches, trying not to make any
one email huge. Use whatever ones you like, however you like
on your site.
Love, Marian
Hi Marian,
This is a wonderful photograph of a Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver,
Gasteracampa elipsoides, formerly Gasteracampa cancriformis.
Though a small spider, this gal always attracts attention.
Her mate is much tinier and rarely noticed. These spiders
are found in the Southern U.S. and are quite common in the
Florida Keys.
Ed. Note: Marian has just become our new
favorite contributor. Though everyone who writes in is a contributor,
Marian originally wrote in regarding a caterpillar she photographed
in her garden that turned out to be a Ficus Sphinx. Seems
since she got a digital camera, she has spent hours documenting
the Arthropods that visit her yard. We are beginning to wonder
how much acerage Marian has in Florida since she just sent
us over a dozen awesome images and we are slowly but surely
posting them on their appropriate pages. What's That Bug?
looks forward to years of collaboration with our new Florida
freelance photographer. Whenever we have a budget and can
afford a staff, Marian along with the awesome entomologist
Eric Eaton will be tops on our list.
Domestic
Spider with Eggsac
(07/03/2005) please help identify this spider before her egg
sac hatches!!!!
i recently noticed this spider in my garage, flanked by not
one, but two egg sacs. i'm not too keen on having one (poisonous??)
spider around, but the thought of all those little baby
spiders running around is too much to handle!! can you please
tell me what kind of spider this is?? she's not all that big,
round, and definitely shiny. thanks for the site, it rocks!!!
dana
 
Hi Dana,
Even if you got rid of your Domestic Spider, Theridion tepidariorum,
and her eggs, her relatives would most assuredly move in.
The Domestic Spider earns her common name. Comstock writes:
"Of all the spiders that inhabit our dwellings this is the
most familiar, and consequently best merits the title of the
Domestic Spider. The tangle of threads can be found in almost
any neglected room, throughout the length and breadth of our
country; and the species is not limited to our country for
it is almost a cosmopolite. This is an exceedingly variable
species in colour and markings." Your specimen has very definite
marking unlike any we have previously seen. While all spiders
possess venom, the Domestic Spider is no threat to humans.
Just let her raise her family and they will help control true
pests that enter you home.
Dolomedes
Fishing Spider
(07/02/2005) help identifying spider
Please help us identify this spider. We live in Maryland
in the woods. The body is about 2 to 3 inches.
The legs are about 3 inches. The spider is about 6 inches
from side to side. Attached is a photo.
Thanks, Jon Hall and family
Hi Jon,
We get many questions about the Dolomedes Fishing Spiders.
We probably have photos and information on any of our four
Spider pages or use the brand new search engine we just installed.
Spiderlings
(07/01/2005) spiders
sorry about the crappy photo. These are tiny tiny spiders
(or at least I think they are spiders). The webs are outside,
usually in the legs of our deck furniture. They are dense
webs (not the usual orb-like webs) and are just packed with
a multitude of little spiders. They are feaking us out. Can
you help us identify them? If you can, should we give into
our gut reaction to erradicate these colonies or should we
revert to our 'spiders are our friends unless proven dangerous'
philosophy.
Thank you
D. Rodrigues
Hi D.,
Your newly hatched spiderlings should begin to balloon away
soon. They will climb to the highest point nearby and release
a strand of silk and let the wind carry them away. We just
observed a similar phenomenon in Ohio and sadly did not have
our camera. The do appear to be young orb weavers, but it
is difficult to be certain. Spiders are your friends.
Garden
Orb-Weaver possibly Eriophora transmarina from Australia
(06/30/2005) Unidentified Southern California Spider
Hi,
My name is Susan, and I have been unsuccessful in determining
if the spider in my back yard (see attached photo) has a name
or is poisonous. It seems very healthy and well fed,
and I'd really rather not kill it, though it scares me and
I'm not to thrilled about it multiplying...... Any assistance
you can provide would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Susan Castang
Torrance, CA
Hi Susan,
If it wasn't for that distinctive white stripe, I would have
just said you had a harmless generic Orb Weaver, but I thought
I would do some web research. I found a site
that pictures your spider, and that site originates in Australia.
The spider is identified as Eriophora transmarina and was
originally Araneus transmarinus. It is still a Garden Orb-Weaver.
The site goes on to say that there are many color variations
in the species and the white stripe is just one of them. We
also have many spiders from this genus in California, as well
as related genus Neoscona. They are sometimes very difficult
to distinguish from one another. Here are a few possible scenarios
for your spider. It is Eriophora transmarina which was introduced
from Australia like the Eucalyptus Tree Borer, or it is a
native Araneus that also happen to have color variations.
Either way, it poses no threat to you and you should let it
proliferate in your yard. It will help control flying pests
like mosquitos carrying West Nile Virus.
Fishing Spider with NEW LEGS!!!!!
(06/26/2005) Can you identify this for me...?
I'm curious about this spider. Is it a fishing spider.
It was on the side of the dock early in the a.m. at Little
Lake St. Joseph in Muskoka Ontario. Interesting site!
Have it bookmarked now
Thanks
Theresa Durning
Hi Theresa,
Your spider is indeed a Fishing Spider, one of the Dolomedes
species. It does illustrate an interesting aspect of spider
physiology since it has regrown two legs. According to Comstock:
"The Reproduction of Lost Organs.-- The reproducing of legs
that have been lost by immature spiders is frequently observed.
If a leg be lost by a young spider the wound soon heals, and
at the succeeding mount the bud of a new leg appears. This
bud increases in size at each succeeding moult; and in time,
if the process begins early enough in the life of the spider,
a functional leg is obtained." In your image, the two middle
legs on the left (the spider's right) have regenerated. Your
photograph is a very interesting addition to our site.
Misumena vatia: Flower Spider
(06/20/2005) Crab spider ??
Found this guy inside my house . Couldn't get a great picture
as he was along a ledge. My thought is some type of 'CRAB'. Am
I correct?
David Burnett
Winnipeg, Canada
Hi David,
You are absolutely correct. Your Crab Spider, Misumena vatia,
is also known as a Flower Spider or Goldenrod Spider. It is
able to change color to match the flower it is sitting upon
while waiting to pounce upon pollinating insects like bees.
Orchard Spider
(06/19/2005) big, very interesting spider
Hey Bugman!
Great site...I've already learned alot, and didn't think I
would be sending you a picture. We found this
spider making a home next to our home on Long Island, NY. We
live in a rather wooded area and is located in a shady corner
near our garbage cans and Hosta plants. The
backdrop of this photo is our home shingle. Please check out
the attached picture and let us know if the silver bulge is
an egg sack and if it is dangerous.
Thanks so much!
Amy and Chris
Hi Amy and Chris,
Beautiful photo of an Orchard Spider in the genus Leucauge,
probably species venusta. The silver bulge is the abdomen.
It is not dangerous.
Fishing
Spider
(06/16/2005) Could you please identify this for me?
Hello,
I found this spider in my bathroom. I live in North
Bay, Ontario, Canada in a mixed decidous forest, predominately
Maple trees. My house is located near but not on a lake.
If you could identify it for me I would greatly appreciate
it.
Thank you,
Sam Hornell
Hi Sam,
I guess your Fishing Spider, Dolomedes species, found itself
too far from the lake and decided to try fishing in the bathroom.
Fishing Spider
(06/14/2005) scary spider
Hello, I've been looking on the web for about an hour now
trying to identify this spider that I found today in a wooded
area in Maryland. It's size(3 to 3 1/2 inches or
so sprawled out) and menacing appearance scared
me today when I turned over a board. Can you please
identify this for me? When I tried to scare it off of
the board ( I didn't want to squash it), it released a
white substance out of its rear at me.
Thanks for your help,
Sid
Hi Sid,
Your photograph of a Fishing Spider from the genus Dolomedes
is pretty great. These awesome spiders are actually capable
of walking on water and then diving below the surface where
they can remain more than 30 minutes. Sometimes they even
catch small fish, hence the common name. They are also called
Nursery Web Spiders because of the maternal behavior the females
exhibit. Though large, they are not dangerous to humans. Your
species is most probably Dolomedes tenebrosus or Dark Dolomedes.
It is one of the largest species.
Crab
Spider or Flower Spider
(06/13/2005) Spider id??
Howdy,
This spider is on a Scabiosa blossom in late summer to early
fall in Eagle River, Alaska. The abdomen of the
spider is about the size of a sesame seed. Thanks
for any help you can give with the identification.
Best wishes,
Dennis Daigger
Hi Dennis,
This is one of the Crab Spiders also known as Flower Spiders
for the obvious reason. They belong to the Family Thomisidae.
Some species are able to change their coloration to match
the flower they are living on.
Fishing Spider
(06/10/2005) large spider
We live in rural Nova Scotia, near the middle of the Annapolis
Valley. We are used to seeing spiders but this
one seemed out of place. Any ideas? The
picture was taken earlier this week.
Ted
Hi Ted,
The startlingly large spiders in the genus Dolomedes are commonly
called Fishing Spiders or Nursery Web Spiders. The former
name comes from the fact that they can dive below the water
and capture small fish. The latter name comes from the maternal
habits of the mother who is one of the most protective of
all species of spiders.
Jumping
Spider and Black & Yellow Argiope
(06/05/2005) Spider identification request
Hi. Could you tell me what types of spiders these are? The
first two pictures are of the same spider, and the third picture
(the one on the plant) is a different spider. I think the
former is a jumping spider of some sort (it's about 1/4 inch
in size) and that the latter is a Black and Yellow Argiope,
but I'm not sure. I live in the Poconos, about 45 miles east
of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Thanks!
Ben
 
Great job on the identifications Ben. Would you be interested
in helping us answer our questions? We are currently swamped.
I love the fluorescent jaws on your Jumping Spider and the
Argiope is always an impressive specimen.
Male
Nephila Clavipes
(06/04/2005) what's this?
This spider has spun a web outside our patio door and we
can't find a match for it on the internet, any ideas???
It's about the size of a quarter including leg span.
We live in northeast Florida. Thanks for your help!
Tommy
Hi Tommy,
We frequently get images of female Nephila clavipes, but never
a male. The males are about 1/100 the size of the enormous
females. These spiders are also known as Silk Spiders or Banana
Spiders.
Banded Argiope
(06/02/2005)Large spider photographed near Nanaimo, B.C.,
Canada
Thank you for your photo of a female Banded Argiope, Argiope
trifasciata.
Cream House Spider
(06/01/2005) Small kitchen spiders with a death wish
Your site is terrific! I have spent a lot of time trying to
get a good shot of our latest guests in our kitchen in Annandale
, Virginia to send in for identification. They are much more
active at night but also move around in the daytime. My original
email to you came back because the file was too big and then
your site was down for a while. Naturally, left to my own
vivid imagination, I decided these are of the brown recluse
variety. Imagine the scene when several of these guys committed
hari kari into boiling water as I started a batch of macaroni
for lunch at my daughter’s birthday party. Apparently
they were living in the hood above the stove prior to the
steam bath. They’ve moved on to the cabinets
but not before one drowned in my cup of decaf; didn’t
notice him until I swallowed the last drop. Really! Of course,
with my growing belief that my friends are brown recluses,
it took a while to determine whether my tongue was numb from
the dead spider in the coffee cup or just because of bad decaf.
I’m pretty sure brown recluses aren’t living in
Northern Virginia but my skin is crawling anyway. Tell me
I’m being melodramatic (please!)
wondering in VA ,
Katie
 
Hi Katie,
Your letter is so entertaining. You do not have Brown Recluses.
I believe you have a spider from the genus Chiracanthium,
known as the Cream House Spider. According to Hogue: It was
introduced from Europe and "often enters homes, where it builds
a sack-like web in corners and crevices (even in household
appliances). ... When disturbed they draw the fore pair of
legs back and in, forming a cage around the body. As they
walk, these spiders often wave the fore legs about or thrust
them forward as if testing the path. These spiders have relatively
strong long fangs and have been known to bite humans, causing
a wound that is painful and slow to heal."
Thanks so much for the quick reply! I’m relieved to finally
have a name for these guys that doesn’t contain “recluse”
-- although the painful bite, slow healing part makes me a
little nervous. By the way, thanks to your great and informative
site, one very large, ugly, creepy, crawly house centipede
received a free ride to the great outdoors this morning rather
than a one-way garbage can trip. -- becoming enlightened
one bug at a time,
your Annandale fan, Katie
Crab Spider
(05/16/2005) Crab/flower spider
I was so excited today, when I went out to admire my roses,
and found a cool white spider with pink lightning bolts down
it's side! I'd seen spiders of a similar shape,
but not with this neat-o, new-wave color palate, and never
in the middle of their lunch. I grabbed my camera
snapped a couple pics, and immediately came back inside to
google white and pink spider. Your site came up,
and I started looking through it. That was 3 hours ago. What
a great site you have!! Well - now I know what
my spider is, as well as so many other critters I've seen
about my house, here in Seattle, WA. I noticed
you don't have too many entries from this part of the country,
though, and I've seen some interesting creatures that I couldn't
find on your site. Now that I know you're here,
I'll keep my camera handier, so that when I do see new fascinating
friends, I can get your help in naming them for me. Thanks
for your wonderful site!!
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
I'm so happy our site was both helpful and entertaining.
Ground
Spider
(05/15/2005) can you identify this spider?
We found this spider in our home in Mansfield , Texas and
don’t know what it is. Can you help?
Thanks,
Michael Zahner
Hi Michael,
Your
spider is an Ground Spider, Sergiolus capulatus. We found
it on Bugguide.
Golden Huntsman Spider
(05/11/2005) Spider
I live in the desert, and I found a spider by the name Golden
Huntsmen. I was told it was not deadly, but it was really
ugly. Could you please give me some info about it.
James
Hi James,
The Golden Huntsman Spider is Olios fasciculatus, one of the
Giant Crab Spiders of the Family Sparassidae. They are, as
you know, large spiders named for their crablike legs. They
are mostly tropical but found in Florida and the Southwest
as well. The Golden Huntsman Spider does not build a web,
but wanders in slow search of prey. The female carries her
egg sac in her jaws until the spiderlings emerge. It is found
in shady woodlands and thickets from New Mexico and Utah west
to California.
Jumping
Spider
(05/06/2005) Frisky Jumper
I found this hyper spider in my apt. which is next to a creek
in dallas, tx. The spider got defensive of the camera light,
it waved the two front legs up high then lunged at me.
It is difficult to give you a species name based on your
photo, but the behavior you describe is consistent with Jumping
Spiders, Family Salticidae. They do not built webs, have good
eyesight, stalk and leap on prey, move briskly, and are harmless.
They are usually small spiders. Waving the front legs up in
the air is a common mating position as well. Were you enticing
that spider?
Thanks bunches for checking out my picture, i've been trying
to capture more images of various spiders that wonder in but
they're all so hyper i can't get a clear shot. By the way,
that was so freaking funny finding out that it was a mating
position, i guess the blood red hair does it since many creatures
react to me in such a way.
Nikki
Wolf
Spider
(05/05/2005)Yucky Ugly Spider !!!! Can We Be Friends???
I found this creepy guy under my kitchen sink! He completely
freaked me out and yet I can't bring myself to kill him (what
if he just wants to be friends?). He seems a little aggressive
but maybe he's just bold. Anyway, I have him in a container
now but would like to let him go outside. I just want to make
sure he's not dangerous. If he comes back, I need to
know what to do.
BTW, I live in East Texas.
Thanks!
PS: My 7 year old is completely obsessed with spiders and
wants to make a career out of it, so I'd really rather not
kill his buddy.
Hi Karen,
You have a Wolf Spider. They have excellent eyesight and hunt
prey rather than building a web. They might bite, but are
not dangerous.
Wow! That was a fast response!!! Thanks a lot. We let him
go in the backyard but for some reason, even though he took
off really fast, he just decided to hang out on the fallen
tree I put him on. So later that night my husband moved him
to a nearby field. My son is feeling pretty smug right now
because he was right. He had a great time pointing out all of Mr.
Creepy's lovely features and gave me a great speech about
the greatness of spiders. Thanks again.
Wolf
Spider
(05/05/2005) Desert Brown Spider with spots and stripes (photo
included)
Hello,
I literally stumbled across your wonderful site this morning
while attempting to identify a new tiny creature on my patio
this morning. We live in the High Desert of Southern
California. This spider was on the wall of my sunny
patio. I have no idea what type it is. I am concerned
because my three young granddaughters frequently play where
this spider was found. Can you tell me what it is and
if it is a biting variety -- and whether its okay to release
this little guy back into my yard?
Thank You Ever So Much!
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
By all means, release the harmless Wolf Spider. The name refers
to their means of running after prey instead of building a
web.
Hello, Thanks so much for responding. I felt so bad for capturing
the little guy that my granddaughters and I took it to over
to a "wild" spot and released it. They giggled furiously
as he darted away! Your site is wonderful!
Brenda
Argiope
with Prey
(04/29/2005)
No questions, just thought you might enjoy this picture
Elizabeth Norman
Thanks for the image of the feeding Argiope Elizabeth.
Silk Spider, Nephila clavipes
(04/10/2005) big spider
I took this pic at my mother's house in Mobile, AL, about
2 yrs ago. I was just wondering if you knew what it was.
the body was between 1-2 inches and the spider itself would
take up most of my hand.
Thanks,
Mary
Hi Mary,
Your spider is an Orb Weaver known as the Silk Spider, Nephila
clavipes. It gets its common name from its strong gold silk.
It is also called the Banana Spider.
Marbled
Orb Weaver
(04/10/2005) Dear Mr. Bugman,
I cannot say how much I love your site. I have three pics
for you, I hope that's ok? The first is a decent picture
of a marbled orb weaver (I recognized it from your site),
I just thought you might enjoy the picture.
Jennifer
Atlanta, GA
Your Marbled Orb Weaver photo is awesome.
Fishing
Spider
(04/10/2005) Very Large Spider in Garage
Hello,
I was getting my lawn mower out of the garage this morning
and came across this big guy. Can you please Identify
and let me know if it's dangerous?
Thank You.
Michael
Hi Michael
Though startlingly large, spiders from the genus Dolomedes,
commonly known as Fishing Spiders, are harmless. They do not
build webs but hunt for food. They are often found near water
and they can dive below the surface and remain there for thirty
minutes. They often catch small fish while underwater.
Possibly Spider Egg-Sac on Bananas
(04/08/2005) for breakfast
so i get up one morning and find _something_ on my bananas.
suffice to
say i didn't know what it was...
get reborn,
-Justin
Hi Justin,
It looks like you might have the egg-sac of some species of
spider on your very ripe bananas.
Maternal
Wolf Spider, Argiope and unknown Long Legged Spider from India
(04/06/2005) Spiders at home
Hi Bugman!
Shot some spiders at home. Request you to ID them. I
stay in Palm Meadows
http://www.adarshdevelopers.com/projects/palmmeadows/palm_location.html
in Bangalore.
Thanks much,
Shastri
 
Hi Shastri,
The spider with young is a species of Wolf Spider. The females
often carry the young on their backs. The "Monster Spider"
is either a Silver Argiope or a very close relative. These
are orb weavers and totally harmless, as is the Wolf Spider.
The spider you have labeled Spidey Long Legs is unknown to
us, but an awesome specimen.
Giant
Crab Spider
(04/06/2005) Weird Spider of Aruba DWI
Hi,
While working at the Met equipments at the Airport we found
a weird spider. Its a bit bigger than a black widow, and its
body is more built than a black widow. We found black widows
(common in Aruba) too hidden in dark areas, but this one had
its nest (not a like a regular spider web) sitting
on an instrument metal box cover, with barely any shade. Therefore I
assume that the spider does not seem to care much about
sunlight. The meteorological equipments are at the runway
of the airport. If anybody recognizes this spider, I will
appreciate it. We need to add a couple of stuffs again to
the Met site, so I'll see if its still there and get a better
pic.
ps. Aruba is hot and humid year round and the airport is near
the sea.
cheers
marck
Hi Marck,
It is difficult to tell exactly, but your photo resembles
a female Giant Crab Spider, Family Sparassidae, which included
the Huntsman Spider, Heteropoda venatoria. They are mostly
tropical spiders that do not make webs. Females care for the
egg sac which is, I believe, what you have seen. They hide
by day and hunt by night.
Brownish-gray
Fishing Spider
(04/02/2005) what kind of spider is this
I found this spider in my house what kind is it and is it
poisonous. ITS HUGE!! Thanks
Brandy
Hi Brandy,
Yes, the Fishing Spiders can be startlingly large. All spiders
have venom, but few pose a danger to humans. Your Brownish-Gray
Fishing Spider, Dolomedes tenebrosus, which is also known
as the Dark Dolomedes, is harmless. They are amazing spiders,
and are usually found near water. They can dive below the
surface and remain there motionless for thirty minutes. They
also catch small fish. They breath air that is trapped by
hairs on their bodies. It ranges throughout New England, into
Canada and other areas of the Eastern seaboard.
Argiope
aurantia
(Ides of March 2005) yellow garden spider
Not a lover of spiders so you can imagine my alarm to find
this one dangling from the hem of my skirt. Fortunately it
reappeared the following morning and we were able to get these
photos. It was discovered near Mahone Bay on the
South Shore of Nova Scotia. Despite numerous e-mails to my
woodsy friends it went unidentified until I found your site.
Can you tell me what the range of this spider is and how commom
they are here? I've never seen anything like it.
Shauna Hatt
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada
Hi Shauna,
Yes, the Argiope aurantia can be alarming, but they are beautiful
spiders. They range throughout the United States and in Southern
Canada. I am not exactly sure how common they are in your
area. I am very happy you had the wherewithall to get that
beautiful photo after your startling first encounter.
Female
Domestic Spider
(Ides of March 2005) What is this guy?
A colony of these spiders has set up shop in a crawlspace
under a cottage on the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, and seem
to be wintering over. It is a damp and cold area (just
above freezing). There are perhaps 6 of them, most having
egg sacks near them. I haven't seen anything like them
before!
Thanks
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Your gal is a female Domestic Spider, also commonly called
a House Spider, Achaearanea tepidariorum. These small harmless
Comb-Footed Spiders are common around the home, hence their
common name. Your photo nicely illustrates the large and bulbous
abdomen with its cream coloration and dark blotches. They
spin irregular webs.
Carolina
Wolf Spider
(03/12/2005) should i be worried
a friend of mine told me to send you this picture of a spider
i saw running across my living room. i have seen a few of
them lately, should i be alarmed or are they a harmless spider
helping control other pests in my house.
thanks
Thomas
Hi Thomas,
Your spider sure looks like a Carolina Wolf Spider, Lycosa
carolinensis, the largest North American Wolf Spider. Females
are about twice the size of males, reaching almost 1 1/2 inches.
Like your specimen, sometimes this spider has a darker stripe
along the midline of the abdomen. This spider is usually found
in open fields on the ground and hunts mainly at night. It
ranges throughout the United States and Southern Canada. It
is harmless, but a good hunter that will help keep your home
free of pests.
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