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.

Spiders in Massachusetts Identification Chart

Common Spiders in Massachusetts

Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus)Common House (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)

Largest Spider in Massachusetts

Rabid Wolf (Rabidosa rabida)

Highly Venomous Spiders

Cobweb (Theridiidae)

Northern Black Widow Spider Size Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus) - The Northern Black Widow is a cool spider found mainly on the 'East Coast' of North America. It's a close relative to the southern and western black widows.… Continue Reading >

Less Venomous Spiders

Orb-Weaver (Araneidae)

Furrow Spider Size Furrow (Larinioides cornutus) - Did you know there's a spider called the Furrow spider? It belongs to the orb-weaver family. You can find them in places like North Africa, Europe, parts of Asia, and even in North and South America!… Continue Reading >

European Garden Spider Cross Orb Weaver (Araneus diadematus) - Did you know the Cross Orb Weaver spider comes from Europe and North America? Their legs are super cool because they can spin special round webs.… Continue Reading >

Marble Orb-Weaver Marbled Orb-weaver (Araneus marmoreus) - The marbled orb-weaver is a spider with a special design on its body. It has patterns on its abdomen that look like marble, which is how it got its name.… Continue Reading >

Larinioides Sclopetarius Gray Cross Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius) - Discover the world of the gray cross spider, part of the family of orb weavers. These unique spiders, although not fans of the company, often create their webs near one another.… Continue Reading >

Orchard Orbweaver Spider Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) - The orchard spider is a special kind of spider called an orb-weaver. It has a long jaw and is found in places like the United States, southern Canada, and parts of Central America.… Continue Reading >

Yellow Garden Spider Images Yellow Garden (Argiope aurantia) - Imagine a spider with bright yellow and black colors, weaving an amazing web in the garden. That's the Yellow Garden Spider for you! They're super peaceful and really good at making fancy webs.… Continue Reading >

Banded Garden Spider Banded Garden (Argiope trifasciata) - The banded garden spider is a common spider with two types: Argiope trifasciata deserticola and Argiope trifasciata kauaiensis. They prefer warm places and usually aren't around in cold winters because they don't like the chill.… Continue Reading >

Arrow-Shaped Micrathena Arrow-shaped Micrathena (Micrathena sagittata) - The Arrow-shaped micrathena spider has a unique arrow-shaped tummy, which is why it's named that way! This spider is part of the orb-weaver family and lives mainly in the eastern United States and Central America.… Continue Reading >

Nursery Web (Pisauridae)

Dark Fishing Dark Fishing (Dolomedes tenebrosus) - The Dark Fishing Spider is a special spider from the Pisauridae family. It looks a lot like the striped fishing spider. Here's something wild: after these spiders mate, the male often becomes a meal for the female!… Continue Reading >

Six Spotted Fishing Spider Six-spotted Fishing (Dolomedes triton) - Discover the Six-spotted Fishing Spider, often known as the dock spider. These large, semi-aquatic spiders are daytime hunters. They're experts at waiting near water edges, among bushes, ready to catch their next meal.… Continue Reading >

Jumping (Salticidae)

Bold Jumping Spider Picture Bold Jumping (Phidippus audax) - Bold jumping spiders are super cool members of the Salticidae spider family. They get attention for their amazing jumps and colorful looks. Instead of using webs to catch food, they like to sneak up on bugs and jump on them!… Continue Reading >

Male Tan Jumping Spider Tan Jumping (Platycryptus undatus) - Tan jumping spiders are super interesting! They hop around and belong to the jumping spider family. You can find them in places like North and Central America.… Continue Reading >

Amaurobiidae

Amaurobius Ferox Black Lace Weaver Spider (Amaurobius ferox) - The spider realm is diverse and filled with intriguing species. The Amaurobius ferox is one such captivating specimen. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into its unique characteristics and behaviors.… Continue Reading >

  • Callobius bennetti

Cobweb (Theridiidae)

Common House Spider Size Common House (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) - Guess what? The American house spider is a popular spider many people meet! Even though its name says "American," it's also found in places like Pakistan and Myanmar.… Continue Reading >

Triangulate Cobweb Spider Triangulate Cobweb (Steatoda triangulosa) - Meet the triangulate cobweb spider from the Steatoda genus! Found in places like North America, New Zealand, and Europe, this little spider has a neat triangular pattern on its back.… Continue Reading >

Steatoda borealis Steatoda borealis - Guess what? There's a spider called Steatoda borealis, and it's part of the comb-footed spider family. Some people call it a 'false widow spider' because of how it looks. But it's not the same as the real widow spiders.… Continue Reading >

  • Two-spotted Cobweb (Asagena americana)

Wolf (Lycosidae)

Rabid Wolf Spider Size Rabid Wolf (Rabidosa rabida) - Do you know about the Rabid Wolf spider? It's a yellow spider living in certain areas of North America. Even though its name sounds scary, it doesn't have rabies.… Continue Reading >

  • Gladicosa gulosa
  • Varacosa avara
  • Tigrosa helluo
  • Trochosa ruricola

Crab (Thomisidae)

Female Goldenrod Crab Spider Goldenrod Crab (Misumena vatia) - Goldenrod Crab Spiders are super cool! They can change colors and hang out on flowers, waiting for their food. Instead of making big webs, they use silk for catching food or keeping their eggs safe.… Continue Reading >

White Banded Crab Spider White Banded Crab (Misumenoides formosipes) - Did you know there are spiders called White banded crab spiders? They're part of a big family named Thomisidae. These spiders live in the United States and Canada.… Continue Reading >

Ground (Gnaphosidae)

  • Sergiolus capulatus

Corinnidae

Broad Faced Sac Spider Broad-faced Sac Spider (Trachelas tranquillus) - The broad-faced sac spider belongs to the ground sac spiders family. These spiders call North America their home. Ready to uncover some cool facts about them?… Continue Reading >

Castianeira Longipalpa Castianeira longipalpa - The Castianeira longipalpa spider is a cool member of the Corinnidae spiders family. Found in North America, this spider acts a lot like carpenter ants. It's a master of disguise!… Continue Reading >

Cheiracanthiidae

Yellow Sac Spider Size Black-Footed Yellow Sac (Cheiracanthium inclusum) - Meet the yellow sac spider! It's a spider that originally came from the Americas. Over time, it's been a part of different spider families, and now it's in the Eutichuridae family.… Continue Reading >

Cellar (Phocidae)

Long Bodied Cellar Spider Long Bodied Cellar (Pholcus phalangioides) - The long-bodied cellar spiders are quite interesting! Often seen in America's dark and damp spots, they have really long legs. This is why some folks call them daddy-long-legs.… Continue Reading >

Spitting (Scytodidae)

  • Scytodes thoracica

Funnel Weaver (Agelenidae)