A Guide to Missouri Spiders
Missouri Tarantula
Aphonopelma Hentzi
"Ordinary" Tarantulas, Family Theraphosidae
This hairy species is Missouri's largest spider. Female tarantulas average approximately 50mm in length, the males 40mm. Body and legs are uniformly dark chocolate-brown, with reddish hairs on the carapace.
Missouri Tarantulas
The tarantula's large size and shaggy appearance is frightening to many people, leading them to believe it has a ferocious nature. It actually is a shy creature, quick to evade humans. Tarantulas are typically at home in areas seldom frequented by people. They appear to prefer dry, rocky glades, where they spend their days in silk-lined burrows in abandoned rodent or reptile tunnels or in other natural cavities. Like many hunting spiders, tarantulas are active at night, when they hunt for insects such as crickets. In late summer and fall, south Missourians often see these large arachnids crossing roads. This wandering phenomenon has been documented in male tarantulas in southern california, but it has not been studied in Missouri.
Missouri distribution: the tarantula occurs typically in open, dry glades in south and central Missouri. The Missouri river presumably acts as a barrier to the spider's movement into northern Missouri.
Filmy Dome Spider
Prolinyphia marginata
Sheet-Web Weavers, Family Linyphiidae
The filmy dome spider is one of the most abundant woodland spiders in Missouri. Although the spider is tiny (3.5-5mm) the snare web, which looks like an upside-down silk bowl, is conspicuous throughout the year. The webs are abundant in rock outcroppings, walls, wood piles and low, dense brush in woodlands, but are rarely found in open areas.
The carapace of this spider is marked with a broad, dark-brown mid-band with white outer margins. The yellowish-white abdomen is wide and high at the back end, with distinctive mottled brown markings.
Missouri distribution: presumed statewide in woodlands and woodland edges. Commonly found in dense, low vegetation around house.
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia Typical
Orb Weavers, Family Araneidae
This distinctive spider is often noticed because of its large size and its habit of building webs in gardens and grassy areas near houses. It is most typically found in tall grasslands.
The small cephalothorax is tipped with silver hairs, and the slightly oval abdomen is patterned yellow (sometimes orange) and black. A black mid-stripe with four white spots in the center marks the top of the abdomen. The legs are black with yellow-orange stripes. The upper portion of the legs is more solidly colored orange-yellow. Females are much larger than males and can reach lengths of 19-28mm as compared to 5-8mm for males.
Yellow Garden Spider
This spider can be found sitting head-down at its web's hub where a zig-zag silk band, the stabilimentum, extends vertically from the center. A variety of insects may fall prey to this spider, especially grasshoppers and katydids. Certain species of smaller spiders use yellow garden spider webs as their own and may feed on the tiny insects caught in the web.
Missouri distribution: presumed statewide in tall grasslands with tall herbaceous vegetation.
White-Backed Garden Spider
Argiope trifasciata
Typical Orb Weavers, Family Araneidae
At first you may confuse this spider with its close relative, the yellow garden spider. A closer look will reveal a slightly smaller spider with a more sharply pointed back end. The abdomen is patterned with many thin silver and yellow transverse lines and thicker black, spotty lines. The carapace is small and covered with silvery hairs. White-backed garden spider females are larger than the males, ranging from 15-25mm as opposed to 4-5.5mm for the males. Compared to the yellow garden spider, this orb weaver tends to build its web slightly lower in the vegetation. It also is less likely to be found in shade and is more tolerant of open areas with sparse brush. White-backed garden and yellow garden spiders feed on similar prey.
Missouri distribution: presumed the same as that of the yellow garden spider.
Spiny-Bellied Orb Weaver
Micrathena gracilis
Typical Orb Weavers, Family Araneidae
You are almost certain to see this little whitish or yellowish and brown-black mottled spider during woodland walks in august and september. There is a great variation in the color pattern, but its ten-spined, chunky abdomen sets the female spiny-bellied orb weaver apart from all other spiders. The carapace is amber-colored, and the legs are glossy black. Females may grow to a length of 8-10mm. The male lacks the spined abdomen, averages 4.5mm in size and is seldom seen.
The web is a delicate, closely woven orb with a pattern specialized for catching minute flying insects. As with many other orb weavers, this species typically has one very long silk thread leading to a leaf or branch above the web. This is the spider's escape line.
Missouri distribution: statewide in woodland areas although it is more commonly found in central and southern Missouri, where timber is more extensive.
Arboreal Orb Weavers
Neoscona spp.
Araneus spp.
Typical Orb Weavers, Family Araneidae
There are several species of Neoscona and Araneus orb weavers found in Missouri, and some are quite difficult to distinguish. These rather large and often hairy spiders are common in open woods, brushy fields, in tall grass areas, and around fenceposts and buildings. The average size is 8mm; the male is slightly smaller.
Neoscona species have a slightly triangular-ovate abdomen with a light mid-band pattern that resembles an upside-down spruce tree. On each side of this mid-line may be back, brown and greenish-brown markings. The legs usually are gray with brown rings. The carapace may be gray with brown marking. Araneus may be similarly marked and colored, though some are quite showy and less hairy.
This orb weaver has the peculiar habit of destroying and rebuilding its inconspicuous web every day. It starts to rebuild the web in the late afternoon and destroys it during the night. Diet consists mainly of nocturnal moths and other insects such as crane flies.
Missouri distribution: statewide.
Orchard Spider
Lecauge Venusta
Typical Orb Weavers, Family Araneidae
These delicate and beautifully colored spiders live in low bushes and damp woodlands. They usually build their small webs in low vegetation, such as lop seed, and sometimes in small trees. Although these spiders may be abundant in wooded areas with dense undergrowth, they are not easily noticed because of their habit of quickly dropping into the leaf litter when disturbed. The carapace appears yellow-green, darker on the sides. The silvery abdomen can be variably colored with greens, yellows, reds and some blues. Males are somewhat smaller than females, which may reach lengths of 5-8mm. The low position of their web helps them to catch small flying insects, such as flies and leafhoppers.
Missouri distribution: statewide.
Funnel Web Spiders
Agelenopsis spp.
Funnel Web Weavers, Family Agelenidae
The sheet web up to three feet wide with a funnel is characteristic of these species and is more often noticed than the spider itself. The funnel portion of the web may be over one foot long and leads to shelter-a rock crevice or dense vegetation. These spiders typically build webs several inches above the ground in short grasses and in the window wells of outbuildings.
Funnel weavers hide in the concealed area of the funnel and then dash out onto the sheet portion of the web to capture an insect caught in or walking across the silk platform. Beetles, harvestmen, moths and small butterflies are frequent food items.
A pair of broad, dark, brownish bands runs lengthwise adjacent to a lighter mid-band on the lightly haired and roundish carapace. The legs are cream and dark yellowish-brown. The oblong abdomen is brown with a broad, reddish-brown, zig-zag stripe with a cream-colored border on both sides. The spinnerets are noticeably long. The funnel web spider is a relatively large one, females averaging 10-20mm and males slightly smaller. Two species of funnel weavers are found in Missouri, a naevia and a. pennsylvanica. Although the former is usually larger and darker, their similar color patterns make them difficult to distinguish.
Missouri distribution: presumably statewide.
Spotted Fishing Spider
Dolomedes triton
Nursery Web Weavers, Family Pisuaridae
These long-legged, dark-colored water spiders are distinctive in that the oval abdomen is smaller than the broad cephalothorax. The rim stripe surrounding the dark carapace, and sometimes the abdomen, is whitish-yellow. On top of the dark brown abdomen, three distinctive pairs of minute white spots comprise a connect-the-dot pyramid or run mid-line down the back. The brown legs are robust and dotted with white hairs. Females average 17-20mm, males 9-13mm.
Spotted fishing spiders live near ponds or in other damp places. They are able to run across the surface of water much like water striders and will dive for prey, including small tadpoles or aquatic insects. The spider encases its body in an air bubble in order to submerge itself, often for several minutes. The bullfrog is its chief predator.
Missouri distribution: presumed to occur throughout the state in habitats such as ponds or slow-moving streams and swampy areas.
Triangulate Orb Weaver
Verrucosa arenata
Typical Orb Weaver Spiders, Family Araneidae
Late summer and fall woodland hikers can count on walking into this spider's web. The triangulate orb weaver's habits are similar to those of the spiny-bellied spider, Micrathena Gracilis. Its woodland web is small and delicate, and its diet consists of tiny flying insects. This orb weaver probably is less common than the spiny-bellied spider, but it is just as strikingly colored and shaped. The carapace is glossy chocolate-brown and small compared to the similarly colored, triangular abdomen. A triangle of color almost completely covers the top of the abdomen, resembling a white, pink or yellow flattened drop of shiny glue. The females average 9mm, and the males are slightly smaller.
This species is Missouri's only orb weaver that rests centered in its web head-up instead of head-down.
Missouri distribution: presumed to occur statewide in woodlands.
Wolf Spiders
Pardosa spp.
Lycosa spp.
Wolf Spiders, Family Lycosidae
The wolf spider family includes the most common spiders in Missouri as well as worldwide. Lycosa wolf spiders vary greatly in size and, although the males are smaller, average 6-25mm. These wandering spiders are encountered in a variety of ground habitats-stream edges, gravel or sand bars, low vegetation and woodland leaf litter. Pardosa wolf spiders are usually encountered more commonly in moist habitats such as along ponds, streams or rivers, or on gravel and sand bars.
These spiders make permanent or temporary retreats. Some dig burrows or tunnel into natural cavities under flat rocks or logs. Ground-dwelling insects and other spiders probably make up the bulk of their diet. Wolf spiders are important diet items for small lizards, insectivorous mice, shrews and turkeys.
They are usually colored gray, brown, black or tan with dark brown or black markings (especially stripes) on the carapace and abdomen. Their eye sizes are similar to those of jumping spiders because the two center eyes of the top row are enlarged. Unlike jumpers, however, wolf spiders always have a row of four small eyes below the four larger ones. Wolf spiders run on the ground and may hunt at night; in contrast, jumping spiders hunt in vegetation during the day. Both types have well-developed eyesight and sense of touch.
The female wolf spider attaches an egg sac to her spinnerets and can be seen running across the ground with the sac held in this manner. She will often exhibit aggressive behavior when carrying an egg sac. After the spiderlings emerge from the casing, they climb to her abdomen and remain there for up to two weeks.
Missouri distribution: statewide.
Ridge-Faced Flower Spider
Misumenoides formosipes
Crab Spiders, Family Thomisidae
This small, whitish-yellow or yellowish-brown crab spider is commonly found in flower heads. Often its carapace is slightly greenish, with a broad whitish-yellow mid-band bordered by darker, thinner sides of yellowish-brown. Its eye region may be marked with red, and its legs are uniformly cream-colored. An unmarked abdomen is not unusual, but more typically it is marked with a brownish-yellow v, converging toward the carapace, and made up of various-sized spots or stripes. This spider can change its color to approximate that of its surroundings. Females are larger than males, reaching lengths of 5-11mm; males are 2.5-3mm.
Thousands of minute crab spiderlings lie concealed in spring and summer flower heads, waiting to capture insects with their powerful forelegs. You are more likely to notice them after they have matured, in early autumn fields and pasture lands among plants such as daisy fleabanes, asters and goldenrods. Don't overlook your backyard snapdragons, queen anne's lace and marigolds. Insects such as bees, flies and other spiders (especially other crab spiders) make up a large portion of this spider's diet.
Missouri distribution: statewide in open field and gardens that contain many composite-type flowers.
Smooth Flower Spider
Misumena
vatia
Crab Spiders, Family Thomisidae
Smooth flower crab spiders are often confused with other crab-legged spiders. They are thought to be slightly less abundant than the ridge-faced species yet often can be seen in yellow or white flower heads. They have some capacity to change color from white to yellow, depending upon the blossoms they are inhabiting. As do most flower crab spiders, this species conceals itself among petals and captures flying or crawling insects. The female, ranging in size from 6-9mm, has a white or yellow carapace, darkening somewhat toward the edges, without spines. The eye region can be marked red, as the yellow-white abdomen often is, with two separate stripes extending mid-point around the perimeter of the abdomen. Three small spines are found on the first pair of legs, all of which are light-colored. Smooth flower spider males are spectacularly colored with purple forelegs and green-yellow carapace. They may reach lengths of 3 or 4mm and are more commonly seen in september and october.
Missouri distribution: found statewide in prairie, flower fields and mixed grasslands.
Foliage Flower Spiders
Misumenops
spp.
Crab Spiders, Family Thomisidae
the more obvious differences between Misumenops crab spiders and other flower crab spiders is that they generally are smaller, and their carapaces, abdomens and legs are spiny. However, size alone is not a good character for distinguishing crab spider species, for some adults and spiderlings are quite similar in size and appearance. The females are approximately 4-6mm, and the males are slightly smaller.
M. oblongus is the easiest spider in this group to identify because it has spines, and the entire body and legs are pale green to silvery white. In M. asperatus, the top surfaces of the carapace, abdomen and legs are covered with many spiny hairs, and with greenish-yellow or yellow-brown markings similar to those on the ridge-faced crab spider. M. celer markings closely resemble these as well, though its overall coloration often has a light tan-pink cast. All Misumenops crab spiders can be found in the same blossoms as noted for Misumenoides formosipes but also will be found in grassy habitat.
Missouri distribution: occurs statewide in prairies, open fields and grasslands with flowering plants.
Xysticus Crab Spider
Xysticus
spp.
Woodland Crab Spiders, Family Thomsidae
There are several species of xysticus spiders found in Missouri and most are larger than the flower crab spiders. They are usually dull gray and brown with brown, white or yellow markings, especially on the abdomen. These spiders can be found under bark and on the forest floor under leaves, rocks and on decaying logs. You can sometimes find them on low fenceposts, flowering plants and out-buildings. The first pair of legs are large and powerful, as in flower crab spiders, and are covered with many tiny spires. Female Xysticus crab spiders range from 5-10mm; males average 4mm.
Woodland crab spiders are not easily seen because of their cryptic coloration bud nevertheless are fairly common. Moths and butterflies make up the bulk of their insect prey.
Missouri distribution: statewide.
White-Spotted Jumping Spider
Phidippus
audax
Jumping Spiders, Family Salticidae
These large, black-bodied jumping spiders are often found on broad-leafed plants such as milkweed and on tree trunks, fenceposts and house or barn siding. The cephalothorax is larger than the oval abdomen and solidly colored black or reddish-brown. There are often several spots on top of the abdomen, a central spot being the largest. Females reach lengths of 8-15mm. Males may grow to 13mm but more commonly average 6-12mm.
All jumping spiders have a flattened eye region with two large eyes set close together among six other, smaller eyes. These spiders depend much upon their sense of sight to hunt or to court females. For this reason, many jumping spiders have iridescent markings or colors on their bodies, legs and chelicerae. In P. audax, the chelicerae are iridescent green. Bugs, caterpillars and other spiders appear to be among the preferred prey.
Missouri distribution: presumed to occur statewide.
Tree Trunk Spider
Metacyrba
undata
Jumping Spiders, Family Salticidae
This spider has fuzzy pedipalps, usually white. The tree trunk spider generally is gray, with flecks of black, white and sometimes reddish hairs. Its color pattern is quite variable. Some individuals have a zebralike look while others appear more uniformly gray.
These flat-bodied jumping spiders are typically found on fenceposts, tree trunks (especially shagbark hickories) and building walls. They often are seen on walls inside houses inlate autumn. Their food items include flies, aphids, moths and other spiders.
Missouri distribution: known to occur statewide, though more commonly noticed near hickory woodlands.
Black Widow Spider
Latrodectus
mactans
Latrodectus variolus
Comb-Footed Spider, Family theridiidae
The glossy, black-bodied female widows have distinctive red spots on the underside of their abdomens. In L. mactans this spot often is shaped like an hourglass; in L. variolus it is not. Faint red or white spots may also appear on top of the abdomen, as they do in males. The large females reach lengths of 8-10mm while males grow to less than half this size.
Black Widow Spider
The sedentary female black widow is capable of inflicting a potentially dangerous bite, not the wandering and seldom-seen male. This timid arachnid often flees from disturbance but will bite if consistently provoked.
The black widow most often makes its irregularly shaped web under flat rocks, logs, along embankments or in outbuildings. The web has a tiny funnel into which the spider can retreat if bothered. L. variolus makes its web in open woods. The black widow's prey includes flying and climbing insects that become entangled in its web.
A black widow spider bite often results in delayed pain at the wound site. Severe abdominal cramps, muscle tightness or soreness, headache, nausea and sweating usually follow. Swelling may be noticed in the hands, feet or eyelids, but usually not at the bite site. Discomfort can last several days and may be relieved through medical treatment. It is unusual for a widow bite to cause death.
Missouri distribution: both species occur statewide, although L. mactans is more common in southern countries.
Violin or Brown Recluse Spider
Loxosceles
Recluse
Venomous Six-Eyed Spiders, Family Loxoscelidae
The overall color is usually a grayish-yellow-brown, the oblong abdomen covered with gray hairs. The broad cephalothorax appears almost heart-shaped with a characteristic violin-shaped marking on top of the carapace. The legs are darker and are long and slim. Females are slightly larger than males, averaging 9mm.
Brown Recluse Spider
The violin spider shares its venomous notoriety with the black widow spider, but both sexes are poisonous. These spiders and their small, irregular, untidy webs can be found under rocks and stones in the southern ozarks but are more often encountered indoors in little-used drawers, closets and other small hiding places. They cannot negotiate smooth surfaces and are often found in bathtubs and sinks, unable to escape. They may live for several years. Diet preferences probably include small, crawling insects.
When bitten by a brown recluse spider, most individuals take little, if any, notice. Swelling, redness and tenderness at the bite area may occur after eight hours or less, followed later by chills, nausea or fever. Many people do not even experience these symptoms or do so in highly variable manners. More commonly, after several days the skin surrounding the bite may begin to ulcerate, eventually forming a deep, open wound that is slow to heal and susceptible to infection. Should you experience a wound as described, see a doctor. Death from a violin spider bite is extremely unlikely.
Missouri distribution: this species has gradually spread northward and is now presumed to occur statewide, indoors.
