Spiders in Wisconsin

The northern and southern parts of Wisconsin have many spider species of which the northern widow and brown recluse are considered poisonous. The northern yellow sac could also hurt humans, though they are considered as mildly venomous. However, the deadly species do not dwell here in abundance, with the northern black widow being present in just 10 counties. The brown recluse thriving here is also present in minimum numbers.

Spiders in Wisconsin Identification Chart

Common Spiders in Wisconsin

Common House (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)Giant House (Eratigena atrica)Northern Yellow Sac (Cheiracanthium mildei)

Largest Spiders in Wisconsin

Giant House (Eratigena atrica)Giant Lichen Orb-weaver (Araneus bicentenarius)Fishing (Dolomedes) spiders
Wolf (Lycosidae) spiders

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 >

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)

Leucauge Argyrobapta Mabel’s Orchard Orb Weaver Spider (Leucauge argyrobapta) - The Mabel’s Orchard Orb Weaver Spider is a kind of long-jawed orb weaver. Fun fact: Charles Darwin found this spider in Brazil in 1832. It's the first of its kind to be known among orb weavers.… Continue Reading >

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 >

Araneus cingulatus Araneus cingulatus - The Araneus cingulatus is a special kind of orb weaver spider. What makes it stand out? It has bright red spots on its tummy!… 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 >

Shamrock Orb Weaver Size Shamrock Orb Weaver (Araneus trifolium) - The shamrock orb weaver is a special spider from the Araneidae family. If you're curious, you'll find these little creatures in places like the United States and Canada.… 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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

Fierce Orbweaver Fierce Orbweaver Spider (Araneus saevus) - The fierce orb weaver spider spins its web in interesting patterns. Part of the orb weaver spider family, it looks a lot like the Araneus nordmanni.… Continue Reading >

  • Larinioides patagiatus
  • Tuft-legged Orb-weaver (Mangora placida)
  • Cave Orb-weaver (Meta ovalis)

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 >

Zebra Spider Size Zebra (Salticus scenicus) - Discover the fascinating world of the Zebra Spider, a creature from the northern hemisphere with stripes like a zebra. These lively spiders don't spin webs to catch their dinner.… Continue Reading >

  • Sitticus fasciger

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 >

Striped Fishing Spider Size Striped Fishing (Dolomedes scriptus) - Discover the Striped Fishing Spider! This big spider is part of the Pisauridae family and lives in both the United States and Canada. With its striking patterns and unique habits, it has become a topic of interest.… Continue Reading >

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 >

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 >

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 >

Funnel Weaver (Agelenidae)

Giant House Spider Image Giant House (Eratigena atrica) - Discover fascinating details about the Giant house spiders! Part of the Eratigena genus, these spiders may have a large appearance, but they're actually quite harmless.… Continue Reading >

Barn Funnel Weaver Spider Barn Funnel Weaver (Tegenaria domestica) - Discover the Barn Funnel Weaving Spider, a spider known by various names worldwide, like the Domestic House Spider in Europe and the Common House Spider in the Pacific Northwest.… 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 >

Linyphiidae

  • Hammock (Pityohyphantes costatus)

Wolf (Lycosidae)

  • Tiger Wolf (Tigrosa aspersa)
  • Ground Wolf (Trochosa terricola)
  • Tigrosa helluo
  • Trochosa ruricola

Tangle Web (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 >