mamba.bio.uci.edu   www.psu.missouri.edu  research.amnh.org  hartmanprehistoricgarden.com   www.signite.com

Jumping spider            Brown Recluse    Some thing        Orb-weaver     what appears to be a crab spider "ballooning"

Disclaimer: Most spiders cannot be identified by just the naked eye, they must be assessed by an expert, under a dissecting microscope.  The University of Wyoming Extension recommends that if you are unsure of the identity of a spider that you capture it and send it in.  Instructions as to how to properly send in a spider and where to send it, see capturing methods.  All spiders have venom; most venom does not harm humans, however there is always a possibility that a person could be allergic to one venom and not another.

Identify Your House Spiders!

If you really get into this, I would suggest getting one of those small containers with the magnifying glass in the lid; it will help you see some of the smaller identifying characteristics.

Common Spiders Found in the Wyoming House

Common Name and (Order)	Picture Examples (Species in each order can vary greatly in shape, size and colors)	Major Identifying Characteristics (species may vary) (size only refers to body length, not leg span)	Eye Patterns (a good way for a fast identification)	Webs (some webs are good indicators of the type of spider)	Are they harmful or beneficial to us?
Jumping Spiders (Salticidae)	insects.tamu.edu	Size: between 0.2" and 0.7" Behavior:  'jerky' movements, appears to look at you curiously, sometimes cocking to one side; males (see 8-legged facts) 'drum' their first pair of legs on the ground Appearance: Most appear to be very fuzzy-looking; some smaller ones not so much.  Usually compact/stout. Some are black with white or yellow stripes, others are very colorful-from silver to bright, shiny green. Found: often on walls, but really anywhere.		They mostly hunt, so they have no real need of a web.  They have the best eyesight out of the spiders and a very acute sense of touch (vibrations)	Jumping spiders are harmless and they do not readily bite even when handled. Not only are they beneficial to us, but they are also very entertaining to watch!
Wolf Spiders   (Lycosidae)	www.floridanature.org	Size: adults 0.6" to over 1.0" Leg span: up to 4.0" Behavior:  Very fast runners.  Some species may be aggressive if cornered. Females can be seen carrying egg sac behind her and the spiderlings will be  seen riding on her back for a while. Appearance: Very 'leggy'; legs longer than body. They have spiky-looking hairs on their legs.  Colors very from dark brown to tan to light grey.  usually has stripes running the length of body.  One of the largest and most common spiders found in and around Wyoming. Found: usually on the floor in basements, closets and outbuildings.		They are known for their ability to track and hunt prey.  They do not use webs to catch prey.	Wolf spiders are shy, but when cornered, will bite.  Their bites have been known to be irritating and somewhat painful.   Sometimes a red welt will form for a couple of days, but then go away.
Nursery Web Spiders (Pisauridae)	www.spidersrule.com www.whatsthatbug.com	Size: 0.4"- 1.0" Behavior:  Similar behavior to wolf spiders.  Females can be seen carrying egg sac in their jaws. This is a good way to distinguish them from wolf spiders.  Some have been known to run over the surface of water. Appearance:  Similar to wolf spiders, except their eyes are more equal in size. Found:  On floors, outbuildings		They don't really make webs, except for their egg sacs.  They hunt like wolf spiders.	They are generally not harmful to humans.  They aren't as aggressive as wolf spiders when cornered.  Their bites are probably similar to wolf spider, but this is only an educated guess.
Daddy-Long-Leg or Cellar Spiders (Pholcidae)	reasearch.amnh.org	Size:  0.05" to 0.3" Behavior:  Almost always found hanging upside-down. Appearance:  Very spindly, usually opaque cream or tan color with a darker body.  Very delicate-looking. Found: on delicate webs in upper corners and usually in dark places light closets and basements.		They are known for their chaotic and delicate looking webs usually found in corners.	These spiders are not harmful to humans.  In fact, they have a similar niche to black widows, which means the more cellar spiders you have in your house, the less less likely you are to have black widows!
Funnel Web or Grass Spiders (Agelenidae)	insectimages.org	Size: 0.4" to 0.9" Behavior:  Usually found near or in their funnel-shaped web. Appearance:  They're a bit similar to wolf spiders in appearance. Found: In the grass, or dark places like basements, closets, behind furniture.		it.wikipedia.org Just like their name says- their webs are usually very distinctly funnel-shaped.	Most of these spiders are mot harmful to humans, however see below for the hobo spider that is in this family.
(Agelenidae) Top-Common House Spider (Tegenaria domestica) Bottom- Hobo Spider (Tegenaria agrestis)	entomology.unl.edu	Size:  Both are around 0.5" Behavior: found on the floor and in dark places like old shoes Appearance: Common House Spider- has faint bands around legs Hobo Spider- lacks bands around legs Found:  Common House Spider found in Wyoming Hobo Spider Not found to be in Wyoming		Male spiders do not make webs.  These are usually the ones wondering about and are the ones that humans come in contact with most.	The Hobo Spider is considered harmful to humans and is very willing to bite.  The common house spider, which is often mistaken for the Hobo, is not.
Orb-Weavers (Araneidae)	colostate.edu, naturaljapan.net	Size: 0.1" to 1.0" Behavior:  They are usually found hanging on their webs.  When disturbed, some will bounce on their webs. Appearance:  Out of all of the spiders, the orb-weavers are the most diverse of shape size and color, but hey tend to be bulky and intricately patterned with colors. Some even have angular 'butts' (abdomens) Their webs are the best way to quickly identify them. Found: usually outside, however, they may make webs just about anywhere.		www.daviddarling.info Orb-Weavers are the poster children of the web-making world.  Most make the signature flat spiral web.	Orb-weavers vary greatly, but for the most part they are benign and gentle.
Brown or Recluse Spiders (Loxoscelidae)	www.psu.missouri.edu	Size: 0.4"-1.0" Behavior: May be aggressive if cornered. Appearance: Legs are not spread to the side, but rather close and upright to the body.  Tan to medium brown color. may have a violin-shaped dark patch on the front part of the body (see top of page, 2nd picture to the left)  The eye pattern is a good indicator Found:  everywhere in the home.	6 eyes found in 3 pairs	Recluse spiders make sticky sheet-like webs to catch prey.	Some species of recluse have bites that  may cause local necrosis (mainly L. reclusa), however, not all brown spiders are harmful.
Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa)	spiders.ucr.edu	Size: Around 0.5" Behavior: May be aggressive if cornered Appearance:  light yellow to light tan.  violin on back may be hard to see- this is NOT a good indicator. Found:  Not able to survive in Wyoming  climates.  Native to South Central U.S.	6 eyes found in 3 pairs	They make sticky, messy sheet-like webs.	Considered harmful to humans, killing the tissue in the area of its bite.  See bite page for more information.
Comb-Footed and Cobweb Spiders (includes Widows) (Theridae)	research.amnh.edu	Size: 0.1"- 0.6" Widows are the largest Behavior:  Usually found hanging upside-down on or near web Appearance:  Almost all of them can be identified by their globular abdomen "backside."  Poisonous spiders in this group do not always look like the stereotypical black widow, but a generally those that do are the most damgerous. Found: in crevasses, corners, under objects		Their webs are very chaotic looking, and are generally built in corners and dark crevasses.	Most of these spiders are harmless to humans, however some are definitely harmful; see next row.
Black Widow-top right (Latrodectus mactans) Northern Widow-top left (Latrodectus variolus)	www.marion.ohio-state.edu nature_photo_man@hotmail.com	Size: Females adults are 0.5" to 0.6"  juvenile and male spiders are much smaller Behavior:  Almost always found hanging upside-down.  Females are more aggressive when protecting spherical egg-sac. Appearance:  Black Widow- black with red hour-glass on "belly" ventral side.  Northern Widow- black with a broken red hour-glass on ventral side.  juvenile females are tan with a striped abdomen 'backside' Found: in crevasses, corners, under objects, and in unused prairie dog holes		The web is very chaotic webs and is usually built in dark places like corners, crevasses, and especially prairie dog holes.  The white ball-like egg sac is guarded by the female.	The black widow is the most well-known spider in this group, but both the Black and Northern Widows' bites can cause extreme pain and very rarely death. See bite page for more information.
Sac Spiders (Clubionidae)	www.phorid.net	Size: 0.2"- 0.5" Behavior: They like to hunt for flying insects around light-fixtures.  Appearance: Tan to pale yellow, usually with a lighter-colored 'backside' abdomen Found:  Usually on walls and around light-fixtures.		May be found in tight crevasses, in silk tube-like webs used for rest, not to catch prey.	The bite of the yellow sac spiders has been mixed up with the brown recluse bite, but not all sac spiders are harmful.  See bite page for more information.
Ground Spiders (Gnaphosidae)	www.bugsincyberspace.com	Size: 0.4"- 0.6" Behavior:  usually live and hunt under objects Appearance:  Usually a black or dark brown.  Probably the best way to identify these spiders are by their elongated, slightly flattened abdomen (back-end), and their Found:  in storage boxes, firewood, landscape rocks		They don't really make webs; they mainly hunt.	They have not been reported to be harmful to humans.
Crab Spiders (Thomisidae, Philodromidae)	www.forestryimages.com	Size:  0.1" to 0.5" Behavior: They are named because they hold their legs similar to a crab.  They are usually still, and do not readily move even when disturbed. Appearance:  They are a bit crab-like in appearance.  Many found in Wyoming are bright yellow, white, and may even have bright red markings.  Some have the ability to modify their color. Found:  Usually on flowers, however, they can get accidentally carried into the home on clothing.		Crab spiders don't spin webs to catch their prey, rather they wait very still, usually on flowers or other plant parts, for flying insects to come by, and then they pounce on them.	Crab spiders are  not know to be harmful to humans, and will not readily bite even when provoked.

Still can't find an example that fits your spider? There are many 8-legged creatures out there that may look like spiders, but are not in fact spiders.  Try some of these spider-cousins, but note that not all of them are found in Wyoming:

• Common Name and (Order)	Picture Examples	Often misidentified as Spiders?	Major Identifying Characteristics (species may vary) (size only refers to body length)	Are they found in Wyoming?	Are they harmful or beneficial to us?
  Windscorpion, Camelspider or Sunspider (Solifugae)	www.defense.gov.au	Yes, very often misidentified as a spider!	Size: 0.3" to 2.0" Behavior:  Fast runners.  They will eat almost anything that they can catch, even small vertebrates like lizards! Appearance: windscorpions are easily identified by their 4 fangs.  They also hold their front leg out like feelers.	Definitely found in Wyoming.  They are very ubiquitous, especially in the desert-like parts.	Very beneficial, but they are ready and willing biters.  They do not have venom glands, so they are not poisonous!
  Harvestmen or Daddy-Long-Legs (Opiliones)	www.samford.edu	Yes, almost always misidentified as a spider.	Size: 0.06" to 0.3" Behavior:  They hold their bodies close to the surface that they are on. Appearance: Their bodies are compacted into one part.  The most commonly seen harvestmen look a bit like a ball on thread-like stilts.  Others have shorter legs.	Definitely found in Wyoming.	Very beneficial and very harmless.
  'True' Scorpions (Scorpiones)	www.slu.edu	Usually not confused with spiders.	Size: Behavior: Appearance:	Yes. The Northern Scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus) is the only species known to inhabit Wyoming.	Very beneficial, but depending on the species, may be fairly harmless to extremely dangerous.
  Pseudoscorpions (pseudoscorpiones)	www.extension.umnh.edu	Usually not confused with spiders.	Size: up to 0.2" Behavior:  They can walk backwards and sideways as well as forward.  They may wave their large claws. Appearance:  They have claws that are as long as their bodies or longer, which they hold in front of their bodies like in the picture.	Yes, they are found in Wyoming, but are very sporadically localized around the state.	Very beneficial, and very harmless.  The do contain venom in their claws, but they are not harmful to humans.
  Mites and Ticks(Acari)	insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu	Certain species get confused with spiders, depending on the species- spidermites are mites even though they make webs.	Size: Behavior: Appearance:	Mites are found on almost everything, including our own bodies.	It depends on the mite.  They are so varied that they can range from extremely beneficial to life-threatening; most are benign or beneficial.
  Tailless Whipscorpions (Amblypygi)	www.petbugs.com	Weirdly enough, yes, these do get confused with spiders.  If you have seen Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the digital animators did a great job creating one of these for one scene!	Size: Around 0.5" Behavior:  The like to hide under rocks and bark. Appearance: They have long, whip-like front legs, and claws that are held closed in front of their bodies.	No, these are not found in Wyoming.	These are beneficial, and not harmful to humans.
  Whipscorpions (order: Uropygi):  Vinegarones or Vinegaroons (Thelyphonidae)	museum.utep.edu	These are not usually mistaken for spiders, however, they may be mistaken for true scorpions.	Size: up to 3.0" Behavior:  The spray a vinegar-like scent when frightened. Appearance:  A bit like true scorpions, however they do not have a thick tail with a stinger like true scorpions.	No, these are not found in Wyoming.	These are beneficial.  They cannot sting, however they can pinch.
  Short-Tailed Whipscorpion (Schizomida)	www.americanarachnology.org hans.henderickx@pandora.be	These may be mistaken for small spiders.	Size:  less than 0.2" Behavior:  They may be found in leaf litter and stones Appearance:  They look a bit like small vinegaroons, but they don't have eyes.	No, these are not found in Wyoming.	They are not harmful, but rather beneficial.
  Palpigrades	amerarach hlm1956@hotmail.com		Size: Behavior: Appearance:
  Ricinuleids	amerarach bopell@vt.edu contact		Size: Behavior: Appearance:
  Horseshoe Crabs	moray.ml.duke.edu	I hope not!	Size: Behavior: Appearance:	Horseshoe crabs are NOT found in Wyoming.
  Sea Spiders	tea.armadaproject.org		Size: Behavior: Appearance:	Sea Spiders are only found in the Ocean

   
• Arachnid Orders another guide to different arachnids.

www.sodaro.org

Fun things found in the Iraqi deserts!  Sunspiders (not real spiders) are fast, fearless, and frightening when found in your sleeping bag!

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