Spiders in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has different spider species, with the commonest being members of the wolf, cobweb and orb-weaver family. The only deadliest species present here is the northern black widow. The brown recluse, which is also considered to be potentially harmful to humans is rarely found in this state.

Common spiders: Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus), Common House (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)

Largest spider: Rabid Wolf (Rabidosa rabida)

Highly Venomous Spiders

Cobweb (Theridiidae)

• Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus)

Less Venomous Spiders

Orb-Weaver (Araneidae)

• Furrow Orb-weaver (Larinioides cornutus)
• Cross Orb-weaver (Araneus diadematus)
• Marbled Orb-weaver (Araneus marmoreus)
• Six-spotted Orb-weaver (Araniella displicata)
• Bridge Orb-weaver (Larinioides sclopetarius)
• Orchard Orb-weaver (Leucauge venusta)
• Yellow Garden (Argiope aurantia)
• Banded Garden (Argiope trifasciata)
• Long-jawed Orb-weaver (Tetragnatha viridis)
• Arrow-shaped Micrathena (Micrathena sagittata)

Nursery Web (Pisauridae)

• Dark Fishing (Dolomedes tenebrosus)
• Six-spotted Fishing (Dolomedes triton)
• Dolomedes striatus

Jumping (Salticidae)

• Bold Jumper (Phidippus audax)
• Tan Jumping (Platycryptus undatus)

Amaurobiidae

• Black Lace Weaver (Amaurobius ferox)
• Callobius bennetti

Cobweb (Theridiidae)

• Common House (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
• Triangulate Cobweb (Steatoda triangulosa)
• Two-spotted Cobweb (Asagena americana)
• Steatoda borealis

Wolf (Lycosidae)

• Gladicosa gulosa
• Varacosa avara
• Tigrosa helluo
• Trochosa ruricola
• Rabid Wolf (Rabidosa rabida)

Crab (Thomisidae)

• Goldenrod Crab (Misumena vatia)
• White-banded (Misumenoides formosipes)

Ground (Gnaphosidae)

• Sergiolus capulatus

Corinnidae

• Broad-faced Sac (Trachelas tranquillus)
• Castianeira longipalpa

Cheiracanthiidae

• Agrarian Sac (Cheiracanthium inclusum)

Cellar (Phocidae)

• Long-bodied Cellar (Pholcus phalangioides)

Spitting (Scytodidae)

• Scytodes thoracica

Funnel Weaver (Agelenidae)

• Agelenopsis potteri
• Agelenopsis utahana