Some spider species may be black or brown with white markings. Individual spider species can be identified by the presence of white dots on their head, abdomen, or legs. The presence of venomous or non-venomous spiders is not determined by the color of their white-spotted brown or black bodies. Yet, non-venomous spiders account for the vast majority of spiders with white markings in this article.
There are a wide range of black and brown spiders with white markings. Several fuzzy black jumping spiders, for example, have three white dots on their bellies. The male black widow, on the other hand, has white and red dots as well as white stripes.
The brown Mothercare spider has mottled patterns on its abdomen that are brown, tan, and white. Identifying common kinds of black spiders with white dots and brown spiders with white spots is covered in this article. Recognizing a venomous spider will be easier if you know the distinguishing characteristics of black and brown spiders.
Types of Spiders With White Spots
The most frequent black and white spiders with light spots are fuzzy jumping spiders. The patterns of white spots on adult spiders are easily used to identify several spider species in the genera Phidippus and Salticus. The parson spider, the spiny-backed orb weaver, and the spotted ground swift spider are other black spiders with white spots.
Male black widow spiders have white-spotted abdomens, much like western black widow spiders. In addition, the brownish head and black abdomen with white markings of the orange-headed false black widow.
How to Identify Spiders With White Spots (Black and Brown Spiders)
Search for white markings on the cephalothorax (head), abdomen, or legs to identify spider species with white spots. The body and legs of a black or brown spider can be used to identify it. Some spiders also have bands around their spindly legs, which are white with patterns of spots.
Furry spiders with hairy bodies can be brown or black spiders with white specks. Due to the presence of spines on their bodies, black and white jumping spiders are simple to identify. Several household spiders, on the other hand, have smooth bodies with white dots or patches.
Examining spiders’ eyes is another technique to distinguish them with white markings. Many eyes, usually in two or three rows, are found on all spiders. Several species, such as the jumping spider, have two big center eyes on their foreheads.
Types of Black Spiders With White Spots (Pictures and Identification)
Let’s take a closer look at black spiders with white markings of varying sizes.
Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenicus)
The zebra jumping spider has white cephalothorax and abdomen stripes and is a black spider with white markings. The white stripe around its head and the black spiny legs with white dots make this a little black spider that stands out. The black and white jumping zebra spider is 0.2 to 0.23 inches (5 to 6 mm) long, depending on sex. Female zebra jumping spiders are tiny (sometimes slightly larger) and have shorter chelicerae than male zebra jumping spiders.
Spider With White Spots Identification: The numerous white specks on the zebra jumping spider’s black legs and two or three white specks on its fuzzy black head are the easiest way to identify it.
Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax)
The bold jumping spider is a black spiny spider with three white dots on its back that can be identified by three white marks. On the abdomen of this bug, you’ll also see two rows of dark brown markings. White spines cover the dark legs of the bold or daring jumping spider, which is another identifying feature. The average body length of the black and white bold leaping spider is 0.31 inch (8 mm). Bold jumping spiders with red, orange, or yellow spots may be found in Florida.
Spider With White Spot Identification: The mouthparts of the daring jumping spider are bright iridescent green or blue, with three white heart-shaped patterns on its belly.
Marbled Purple Jumping Spider (Phidippus purpuratus)
The marbled purple jumping spider has a hairy abdomen with numerous white specks, and it is a black and white spider. White speckles on the cephalothorax and black and white spines on the stumpy legs of purple jumping spiders are visible in photographs. On its head, look for two large visible eyes. In comparison to its rounded, oval black and white abdomen and round head, the marbled purple jumping spider is shorter than 0.4″ (10 mm) long and has a small leg span.
Spider With White Spots Identification: White dots on the dark purple or black abdomen and white hairy spines covering the body distinguish the marbled purple jumping spider.
Eastern Parson Spider (Herpyllus ecclesiasticus)
With a black and dark brown body, gray hairs, and white markings on its abdomen, the eastern parson spider is an aggressive spider. The white-gray abdominal designs in an 18th-century cravat shape are the distinguishing characteristic of this hairy spider. In addition, it has spinnerets with a distinctive white mark. Males are somewhat smaller than females and range in size from 0.4 to 0.8 inches (10 to 20 mm).
Spider With White Spots Identification: The eastern parson spider has white patterns on its black belly and eight pointed legs, which form a star pattern, that distinguishes it from other species.
Crablike Spiny-Backed Orb-weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)
The spiny-backed orb-weaver is a unique black and white arachnid with an enormous oval abdomen. Six strong spiky ridges and fuzzy white hairs adorn this orb-weaver’s abdomen. The spider has a distinctive pattern that makes it appear white with black dots. Black with white dots, the spider’s underside is black. The spiny-backed crablike orb-weaver spider is 0.39 to 0.51 inches (10 to 13 mm) broad and 0.2 to 0.35 inches (5 to 9 mm) long.
Spider With White Spots Identification: The white and black abdomen of the spiny-backed orb-weaver is distinctive, with a white-spotted black belly on the underside.
Black Widow (Latrodectus elegans)
The male Latrodectus elegans is a black widow spider with crimson and white abdominal patterns. The abdomen of this innocuous male spider is striped black and white. The white stripes appear to have white spots due to the uneven red patterns on them. The leg span of this small spider is considerable. The widow spider of Latrodectus elegans has a leg span of 1.18″ (30 mm) and is black, white, and red in color.
Spider With White Spots Identification: The distinctive white stripes and red markings on a shiny black abdomen help to identify the black widow Latrodectus elegans.
Spotted Ground Swift Spider (Nyssus coloripes)
The spotted ground swift spider is a black spider with white spots running the length of its cephalothorax and abdomen. The black and orange legs of this quick-moving spider are a distinguishing feature. The spiders are typically about 0.23″ to 0.27″ (6 to 7 mm) in length.
Spider With White Spots Identification: The white dots running the length of its body and orange front legs distinguish this black spider, which is also known as the fleet-footed spider and painted swift spider.
Silver Argiope (Argiope argentata)
A black spider with a silvery-white cephalothorax and a black and white abdomen, the silver Argiope (Argiope argentata) is a black spider. Several white raised dots cover the black portion of the spider’s abdomen. The silver Argiope’s banded black and white spiky legs are a distinctive characteristic. The male measures 0.16 inches (4 mm) while the female measures only 0.47 inches (12 mm). The spiders, on the other hand, appear to be much larger due to their enormous leg span of over 1″ (2.5 cm).
Spider With White Spots Identification: The black and white body of the silver Argiope, as well as the white and orange dots and striped long legs, are identifying features.
Castianeira longipalpa
The Castianeira longipalpa is a glossy black spider with white or pink dots on its abdomen that has orangey-brown and black legs. This small black spider can be found lurking in cracks and under rocks in North America. The arachnoid is a genuine spider that resembles an ant-mimicking spider and grows to be 0.2″ to 0.4″ (5 – 10 mm) long.
Spider With White Spots Identification: The elongated abdomen of the Castianeira longipalpa, which has white dotted designs on its black body, distinguishes it.
Types of Brown Spiders With White Spots (Pictures and Identification)
Dangerous spiders may be identified by looking for white spots or dots on brown spiders. The common brown recluse spider, for example, has a light brown color. The legs and body of the animal, however, are unmarked. Therefore, the brown spider isn’t a brown recluse if it has white pigments or marks. Let’s explore ways to distinguish huge and little brown spiders with white patches in further depth.
Western Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus hesperus)
Male Western Black Widow Spiders (Latrodectus hesperus) are brown widows with white markings. The center of the bulbous abdomen of the tan-colored spider is striped with white, while the sides are dotted with white. Furthermore, above each of the eight eyes of this brown and white spider, there are two identifiable discs. The black widow spider, which size is 0.27 to 0.31 inch (7 to 8 mm) and has a legspan of 1 to 1.5 inch (25 to 38 mm), is harmless.
Spider With White Spots Identification: The light brown color and white marking on the oval abdomen of the male western black widow spider distinguish it.
Orange-Headed False Black Widow Spider (Steatoda washona)
The orange-headed false black widow (Steatoda washona) is a large, egg-shaped spider with many white markings on its abdomen. Tangle web spiders are the name for this unusual spider. Unlike the black and white fuzzy abdomen, it has brown head and legs.
Spider With White Spots Identification: The line of white spot-like markings down the middle of the false black widow’s abdomen should be used to differentiate it from the orange-headed.
Noble False Widow (Steatoda nobilis)
The noble false widow is a brown widow that belongs to a different genus than the common false widow (Steatoda nobilis). The abdomen of the false widow is brown, and it has large white, spot-like markings. A black cephalothorax and lengthy crimson-orange legs distinguish the noble false widow spider.
While not as venomous as a black widow bite, the false widow may inflict a excruciating bite. The noble false widow spider is 0.37 to 0.55 inches (9 to 14 mm) in size. The mature females of this spider species are larger than the males, as are most spiders.
Spider With White Spots Identification: The noble false widow has an egg-shaped, bulbous abdomen with distinctive creamy-white markings and a black head, reddish legs.
Tropical Orb-Weaver Spider (Eriophora ravilla)
The tropical orb-weaver is a brown spider with orange hairs on its cephalothorax and back. It has white markings on the side of its cephalothorax. This orb-weaver’s fuzzy orange and brown coloration is a distinguishing characteristic. You might also notice that the white patches on its belly seem to merge, resulting in a white banding. The tropical orb Weaver is 12 to 24 mm long and 0.47 to 0.94 inch (12 to 24 mm) wide.
Spider With White Spots Identification: The brown tropical orb-weaver’s spiny orangey look and white markings on the back make it easy to spot.
Dictyna arundinacea
A dark brown spider with a pattern of mottled white patches on its abdomen, the Dictyna arundinacea is a common spot. Brownish head, five rows of white hairs on each side of the tiny brown spider. The spider has white hairs on its back as well. The brown and white spider has a swollen abdomen that looks like an egg, according to photographs. 0.08″ to 0.14″ (2 to 3.5 mm) long is the length of Dictyna arundinacea.
Spider With White Spots Identification: The white, spotted patches on the bulbous abdomen of the Dictyna arundinacea are easily identifiable.
Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus)
The raft spider is a big orangey-brown spider with many tiny white dots on its back that has distinctive white stripes along its cephalothorax and abdomen. Brown and white raft spider legs are lighter in color and have small black spines, which distinguishes them from other spiders. Adults range in length from 0.35 to 0.86 inches (9 to 22 mm).
Spider With White Spots Identification: The raft spider’s brown body, white lateral stripes, and tiny white dots on its abdomen are all identifying features.
Mothercare spider (Phylloneta sisyphia)
A tiny brown spider with a bulbous abdomen covered in white and brown patterns, the mothercare spider (Phylloneta sisyphia) is a common sight. With brown bands, the mothercare spider’s legs are a brownish-yellow color. On its cephalothorax, it has a prominent dark brown central band. Spiders from Mothercare are 0.01 to 0.21 inch (2.5 to 5 mm) long.
Spider With White Spots Identification: On its oval, rounded abdomen, the mothercare spider has distinct yellowish, brown, and white designs.
White-tailed spider (Lampona cylindrata)
The large white-tailed spider is a brownish or black hunting spider with brown legs and a prominent white patch at the end of its tail. On their abdomens, some white-tailed spider species have light brown or white patches that are faint. The blackish-brown spider has a 1.1″ (28 mm) leg span and may grow up to 0.7″ (18 mm).
Spider With White Spots Identification: The pale tip of the spinneret, faint tan markings on the body, and reddish-brown legs of this white-tailed spider make it easy to identify.