Spiders in Tennessee

Tennessee is home to about 40 to 50 spiders, of which the northern, southern, and false black widow, as well as the brown recluse, are the deadliest.

Spiders in Tennessee Identification Chart

Common Spiders in Tennessee

Common House (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)Orchard Orb-weaver (Leucauge venusta)Tan Jumping (Platycryptus undatus)
Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)

Largest Spiders in Tennessee

Wolf (Lycosidae) spidersFishing (Dolomedes) spiders

Highly Venomous Spiders

Cobweb (Theridiidae)

Southern Black Widow Size Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) - Did you know there's a spider called the southern black widow? It's mostly found in North America. It has family members like the western black widow and northern black widow, and they look a bit alike.… Continue Reading >

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 >

False Black Widow Spider False Black Widow (Steatoda grossa) - The False Black Widow spider is part of the Steatoda genus and is frequently confused with the more dangerous Black Widow Spider. Known by various names, including 'cupboard spider' and 'brown house spider' in Australia, this species sometimes earns the label of a pest in certain areas.… Continue Reading >

Sicariidae

Brown Recluse Image Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa) - The brown recluse spider is a special spider found mostly in the central and southern parts of the U.S. It's part of a small group of spiders in North America known for having strong venom, along with the Chilean recluse and black widow.… Continue Reading >

Cheiracanthiidae

Northern Yellow Sac Spider Northern Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium mildei) - Discover the fascinating world of the northern yellow sac spider, part of the cheiracanthiidae family. With a shared name across its genus, this spider stands out for unique reasons.… Continue Reading >

Less Venomous Spiders

Orb-weaver (Araneidae)

Giant Lichen Orbweaver Spider Giant Lichen Orb Weaver (Araneus bicentenarius) - Discover the world of the Giant Lichen Orb Weaver, a spider native to areas in the United States and Canada. Known for their impressive size, these spiders are fascinating creatures.… Continue Reading >

Gasteracantha Cancriformis Spider Spinybacked Orbweaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis) - Discover the spiny-backed orb-weaver, a fascinating spider from the orb-weaver family. Found mostly in the New World, these spiders are known for the unique, spine-like bumps on their back.… Continue Reading >

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 >

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 >

Spotted Orb Weaver Spider Spotted Orb Weaver (Neoscona crucifera) - The spotted orb weaver is a tiny spider that lives in places like Florida, Maine, Arizona, and Minnesota. Part of the orb weavers family, they usually roam at night.… 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 >

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 >

  • Cyclosa turbinata

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 >

Canopy Jumping Spider Canopy Jumping (Phidippus otiosus) - The Canopy Jumping Spider belongs to the Salticidae family and lives in trees in southeastern North America. It's closely related to other spiders like the Phidippus regius, Phidippus pius, and Phidippus californicus.… Continue Reading >

Magnolia Green Jumping Spider Picture Magnolia Green Jumper (Lyssomanes viridis) - There's a cool kind of spider called the jumping spider that lives in many parts of the United States. They have an amazing way of moving around! Ready to find out more?… Continue Reading >

  • Metacyrba taeniola

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 >

White Banded Fishing Spider Picture White Banded Fishing (Dolomedes albineus) - The white banded fishing spider is a cool member of the nursery web spider group. Guess where it's from? The United States of America!… Continue Reading >

  • Pisaurina dubia
  • Phidippus whitmani
  • Phidippus princeps

Cobweb (Theridiidae)

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 >

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 >

Wandering (Ctenidae)

Anahita punctulata Southeastern Wandering (Anahita punctulata) - Have you ever heard of Southeastern wandering spiders? They're part of the big Ctenidae family and come from the Anahita group. These spiders can be found in various places in America.… Continue Reading >

Halonoproctidae

Ravine Trapdoor Ravine Trapdoor (Cyclocosmia truncata) - The Ravine Trapdoor spider has a unique shape and is a rare sight in North America. This spider is a member of the Halonoproctidae family.… Continue Reading >

Ground (Gnaphosidae)

Eastern Parson Spider Parson (Herpyllus ecclesiasticus) - The eastern parson spider is a special kind of spider from the USA and Canada. It's part of the Gnaphosidae family. Instead of making webs to catch food, this spider likes to chase down its meals!… Continue Reading >

Wolf (Lycosidae)

Tigrosa Georgicola Spider Tigrosa Georgicola - The Tigrosa georgicola is a kind of spider that lives in the southeastern parts of the United States. It's part of the Lycosidae spider family.… Continue Reading >

  • Trochosa sepulchralis
  • Tigrosa annexa
  • Tiger Wolf (Tigrosa aspersa)

Crab (Thomisidae)

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 >