Search Results - Field Guide

Showing 1 - 10 of 16 results
Photo of a green crab spider on a leaf
Green Crab Spider
Misumessus oblongus (formerly Misumenops oblonga)
The green crab spider has spines, and the entire body and legs are pale green to silvery white. Like other crab spiders, its legs extend outward from the sides, and it can walk in any direction.
Photo of a spotted fishing spider and several water springtails at the surface of shallow water
Spotted Fishing Spider
Dolomedes triton
The spotted fishing spider lives around ponds, slow-moving streams, swampy areas, and other damp places. It can run across the surface of water much like water striders and will dive for prey, including small tadpoles or aquatic insects.
Whitebanded fishing spider resting on a mossy tree trunk, legs outstretched
Whitebanded Fishing Spider
Dolomedes albineus
Whitebanded fishing spiders are often seen on tree trunks, walls, or other vertical surfaces, sometimes far from water. The coloration and markings can vary, but many individuals have an olive-green cast that helps them blend in with mosses and lichens. Note the bristly legs.
Photo of a tan jumping spider
Tan Jumping Spider
Platycriptus undatus
The tan jumping spider usually lives on tree trunks. Its gray, tan, and brown coloration camouflages it against tree bark. There is usually an undulating pattern on the abdomen.
Photo of wolf spider with young
Wolf Spiders
Nearly 250 species in North America north of Mexico
A wolf spider doesn't spin webs to catch its prey — it runs it down like a wolf! Spiders in this family have long legs and are usually gray, brown, black, or tan with dark brown or black body markings (especially stripes).
filmy dome spider
Filmy Dome Spider
Neriene radiata (formerly Prolinyphia marginata)
The filmy dome spider is one of the most abundant woodland spiders in Missouri. Although the spider is tiny, its snare web, which looks like an upside-down silk bowl, is conspicuous throughout the year.
Photo of a northern crab spider
Northern Crab Spider
Mecaphesa asperata
The northern crab spider has many spiny hairs covering the top surfaces of the carapace, abdomen, and legs, and it has usually has greenish-yellow or yellow-brown markings.
Photo of a swift crab spider, female, from above.
Swift Crab Spider
Mecaphesa celer (formerly Misumenops celer)
The swift crab spider has many spiny hairs covering the top of its body and legs, and it often has a light pinkish-tan cast.
Photo of a triangle orbweaver, or arrowhead spider
Arrowhead Spider (Triangle Orbweaver)
Verrucosa arenata
In late summer and fall, woodland hikers can count on walking into the arrowhead spider's web. These webs are delicate circles that help the spider snare tiny flying insects.
White micrathena, side view
Spiny Orbweavers (Micrathena Spiders)
Micrathena spp.
Missouri has three species of spiny orbweavers in genus Micrathena. The webs of these woodland spiders are often run into by hikers!