We use cookies to make your experience better. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
Spiders
Latin Name: Gasteracantha cancriformis
Common Name: Spinybacked Spider
Other Names: Spiny orb weavers, Tropical orb weavers, Jewel spider, Crab-like orb weaver, Smiley face spider, others
Pest Details
Origin:
These likely originated in Asia, considering the abundance of species in this genus in that continent.
Biology:
This genus of colorful spiders contains many dozens of species that are found around the world in tropical and sub-tropical climates. Only a single species occurs in the U.S. and it occurs across the southern U.S. from Florida to California, in Hawaii, and south throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. This is the only species in this genus in the Western Hemisphere. It is most common in the fall and winter and adults are very short lived, the males dying within a few days after mating and the females generally living less than 1 year. An egg mass of 100-250 eggs will be deposited on a leaf adjacent to
Latin Name: Theraphosidae
Common Name: Tarantulas
Latin Family Name: Theraphosidae
Other Names: Mygalomorph, bird spider
Pest Details
Origin:
From 30 to 40 species of these huge spiders are found in North America, with the majority of them found in the southwestern states of the U.S. and south into Latin America.
Biology:
The tarantulas are easily our largest spiders, and while they terrify most people they are, in reality, very little risk. Their venom is not particularly dangerous to people and the North American species tend to be fairly docile, biting only when they feel personally threatened. With their long fangs they are perfectly capable of biting though, and along with a diet of insects they may also feed on baby rodents, birds, or even reptiles. In addition to their bite the tarantulas can defend themselves by flicking hairs off their abdomen into the face of an enemy. These “urticating” hairs
Latin Name: Lycosidae
Common Name: Wolf Spiders
Latin Family Name: Lycosidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
There are over 200 species of wolf spiders found north of Mexico, and these often are the most common spiders in cold climates of high mountains or far northern regions.
Biology:
Wolf spiders are hunters, and use their silk only for lining a nest and for covering their eggs. The females create the tough egg sac and then carry it attached to the tip of the abdomen. Once the eggs hatch the mother then cuts a slit in the sac to allow her young to emerge, and they then climb onto her abdomen to be carried around for up to 2 weeks. Some species of wolf spiders may have leg spans of 4 inches or more and they are very mobile, very fast, and very aggressive when threatened. They are capable of biting humans but the venom is not considered dangerous, but their aggressive behavior makes wolf spiders
Latin Name: Dysdera crocata
Common Name: Woodlouse Spider
Other Names: Woodlouse hunter, Sowbug hunter, Sowbug killer, Pillbug hunter, Slater spider
Pest Details
Origin:
This cosmopolitan species originated in Europe, but now is common throughout the U.S. and southern Canada.
Biology:
Oddly, this is the only member of this family found in North America, an introduced species from Europe that now can be found throughout the world and throughout North America. It feeds almost exclusively on “woodlice” (Sowbugs and Pillbugs) and frequently enters structures during or following its nocturnal activities. It is well known for the relatively huge mandibles (fangs) that point inward and are capable of piercing the thick exoskeleton of its chosen prey. Because of the direction these fangs point this spider may not be capable of biting humans. They require over a year to mature to a fertile adult and may live up to 3 years.
Latin Name: Argiope aurantia
Common Name: Yellow Garden Spider
Latin Family Name: Araneidae
Other Names: Black & Yellow Garden Spider
Pest Details
Origin:
Many species of spiders in this large family are native to North America.
Biology:
The common orb weavers are the spiders so often seen in gardens, where they construct large, circular, symmetrical webs in pathways, on arbors, and in other areas. They do not inhabit structures, but are such large and obvious spiders in the outdoors that they are attention getters. There are two major groups of these large, colorful spiders, and many different species can be found. The webs may be over two or three feet in diameter and may actually be torn down and reconstructed nightly by the spider. Orb weavers are capable of biting humans, but their venom generally is not considered dangerous. They place themselves either near their web with a leg on
Latin Name: Cheiracantheum sp.
Common Name: Yellow Sac Spiders
Other Names: Long-legged sac spider
Pest Details
Origin:
C. inclusum is native to North America and found throughout the U.S. C. mildei is introduced from Europe and occupies much of the Northeast U.S., as of 1978, and likely has expanded its range considerably since that time.
Biology:
The “sac” spiders comprise 2 species in North America, C. inclusum and C. mildei. They are commonly found wandering indoors or resting in their silk retreat that they back into, thus their common name of “sac” spiders. These may be found in corners and junctions of walls as well as within other materials. They also are commonly found outdoors where they are nocturnal hunting spiders. Their bite is said to be painful, but previous legends about its ability to cause serious necrotic lesions have been challenged by more recent investigators who have not been able to produce