Seeing a black spider with white spots scuttling about the floor might make you feel faint. You might have seen a white-spotted black spider out in the yard and were concerned about its safety. It’s critical to distinguish harmless spiders from poisonous, biting spiders by identifying black spiders with white markings.
The kind of spider is relatively simple to identify due to white spots on black spiders. Only a few black and white spider species exist in the wild. The hairy jumping spider is the most frequent white-dotted black spider. Several additional black spider species, on the other hand, have white patches.
Types of Black Spiders With White Spots
Black and white spiders belong to the class Arachnida, which includes all eight-legged arthropods. Several genera are used to classify black spiders with white dots. Jumping spiders, purseweb spiders, orb weavers, and black widow spiders are some of the more common types of black spiders you’ll find.
What if you came across a black spider with white dots on its back? In that situation, there is no need to be concerned. This black and white jumping spider is most likely harmless. However, a tiny black spider with a bulbous body and white and red markings is much more concerning. This could be a black widow spider, which is potentially dangerous.
How to Identify Black Spiders With White Spots
Examining the body form, sort of white patches, and if it has hairs or not is one technique to differentiate a spider with white dots and a black body. By studying the spider’s habitat and web type, you may identify it as a black or white spider.
Because of its muscular, hairy body and three white abdominal markings, a jumping spider is immediately recognized. A hairless black body and a white band across the back distinguish a purseweb spider from other spiders. A jumping spider, on the other hand, does not spin webs like a purseweb spider.
A black widow, on the other hand, has a spherical body with thin legs and creates untidy webs. The false widow, an orange-legged spider with a black egg-shaped body and oval white markings, is frequently mistaken with the black widow spider.
Types of Black Spiders With White Spots (With Pictures) – Identification Guide
Black spiders with white markings come in a variety of shapes. Some venomous white-spotted black spiders exist, but most are nonvenomous. Some black and white spiders can sprint and jump to capture prey, while others spin intricate webs. If you want to learn more about these odd spiders’ habits and distinguishing characteristics, keep reading.
Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenicus)
Because of its distinctive black and white patterning, the zebra jumping spider is easily recognized. The egg-shaped abdomen and oval, flattened cephalothorax of the furry spiders are unique. Its black, white-spotted legs and huge eyes on its skull are also characteristics that distinguish it. The zebra jumping spider is 0.19 to 0.35 inches (5 to 9 mm) long.
These little black and white zebra jumping spiders don’t build webs and are typically innocuous. They stalk and hunt prey instead of using their excellent vision. In gardens and open habitats, the black spider with its white markings, stripes, and stocky legs is common.
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
The white bands and dots on the abdomen of the zebra jumping spider, as well as its short legs, distinguish it from other spiders. The spider’s round head is covered in eight eyes, two of which are large.
A black hairy spider with three heart-shaped markings on its egg-shaped abdomen, the daring leaping spider is a hairy spider. The fuzzy black legs with grayish-white bands, huge iridescent chelicerae (mouthparts), and delicate setae (hairs) on the body are some of the other distinguishing characteristics of the black spider.
The black and white bold jumping spider is 0.15 to 0.7 inches (4 to 18 mm) long. The jumping spiders in warmer climates may have varying colored dots on their black bodies, despite the white dots on their black bodies. Red, orange, or yellow spots may be found on bold jumping spiders in Florida.
These arachnoids don’t weave webs to capture prey, like other species of jumping spiders. Instead, they pursue and kill tiny insects.
Humans are not harmed by the daring leaping spider. However, white-spotted black jumping spiders may bite when they are trapped, as can all spiders. The spider, on the other hand, seldom bites people.
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
A black spider with three dots on its back and startling greenish metallic mouthparts, the bold jumping spider is easily recognized.
Black and Red Jumping Spider with White Dots (Phidippus clarus)
This brilliant spider has a black and red abdomen with a white band below its cephalothorax, which is sometimes referred to as the brilliant jumper. The black hairy body of the male Phidippus clarus species features red and white patterns. Its metallic chelicerae, as well as its fuzzy black and white forelegs, are other features.
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
With a distinctive black body with two orange-red abdominal stripes and a white band between the abdomen and head, the Phidippus clarus is a species of jumping spider.
Eastern Parson Spider (Herpyllus ecclesiasticus)
The parson spider’s body is small, with long legs and a white-gray patch on its back. It has a pale black coloration. In the shape of an old-style cravat, a dull white-gray spot can be found. The spider’s legs are brown, with spiny ends, and the head is dark brown with prominent spinnerets.
The eastern parson spider is 0.4 to 0.8 inches (1 to 2 centimeters) long. Garden litter, rocks, and log mounds are all common places for predatory spiders to be found. It’s possible that you’ll bring it into your house in the autumn. It can bite when it’s threatened, despite being labeled as a innocuous black spider.
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
The fuzzy elongated abdomen with a white geometric pattern on its back distinguishes the eastern parson spider. The Gnaphosidae family of spiders includes this one as a ground spider.
Purseweb Spider (Atypus baotingensis)
The cephalothorax of the purseweb spider is ringed by a conspicuous white-gray band, which is smooth-bodied and glossy. The huge mouthparts (chelicerae), spreading black legs, and modest posture are all characteristics of this black spider. A big black spider with a 31 mm body is 1.25″ (31 mm) long.
The webs of purseweb spiders are used to capture prey in an unusual manner. They first spin a tube-like web and hide within. They then bite a hole in the web and pull their meal inside after waiting for insects to land on it. In the spring and early summer, purseweb spiders are most active.
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
A smooth black body with two enormous rectangular patches forming a white band on its head, the black and white-banded purseweb spider has a smooth black body.
Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)
The crablike spiny orb weaver is one of the most unusual black and white spiders. The spider’s abdomen and legs are black with spots on the strange underside. The abdomen’s upper portion is usually white, with six red or black conical projections around its border. It has black spots on top.
The abdomen of spiny-backed orb-weavers is broader than it is long. Its head is tiny, and its legs are small in comparison. The black and white 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.
This spiny-backed spider creates orb webs that can span up to 12 inches (30 cm) wide, as its moniker suggests. Little insects are captured by the tiny garden spiders’ beautiful webs. In the southern United States, you’ll often find spiders. Yellow and black spiders are among the species’ most vivid colors.
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
The yellow and white-spotted black lower abdomen and white top with black dots and distinct fleshy spines distinguish the easy-to-spot spiny-backed orb weaver.
Black Widow (Latrodectus elegans)
The red hourglass marking on the abdomen of the black widow, a poisonous common house spider, distinguishes it. White dots or bands on the back of certain male Latrodectus elegans species are present. The front two legs of the venomous spider are particularly long and biting.
If you see a black and red widow spider with white abdominal marks, don’t be too horrified. The males of the black widows are safe, although they do not possess the venom found in females. Latrodectus elegans has a leg span of 1.18 inches (30 mm) and measures 0.39 inch (10 mm).
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
The distinctive black widow Latrodectus elegans is identified by its shiny black oval body with white and red patches on its abdominal area.
False Widow Spider (Steatoda washona)
The bulbous black abdomen, white markings, orange-brown legs, and brown head of the false black widow spider are all characteristics. Yet, since it just has white markings on its black abdomen instead of red markings, this spider is simple to differentiate from a genuine black widow.
In closets, under furniture, in outbuildings, and cabinets, this spider hides in undisturbed dark places. Because they are often found there, some species of false widows are known as cupboard spiders.
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
The false widow spider’s numerous white blemishes on its egg-shaped black oval abdomen are some of the distinguishing characteristics.
Spotted Ground Swift Spider (Nyssus coloripes)
With orange forelegs and a black body covered in white spots and stripes, the spotted ground swift spider is a unique orange foreleg spider. The abdomen of this fast-moving black and white spider is oval in color, with white bands and stripes on its cephalothorax, as well as white markings on its rear legs.
The swift running movements of the white-spotted black spiders have been noted. As a result, the fleet-footed spider is a nickname for them. Due to its white markings, it’s also known as the painted swift spider.
The spotted ground swift spider typically measures 0.23” – 0.27” (6 – 7 mm) long.
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
The black color with white spots covering the majority of its body distinguishes the spotted ground swift spider. Its distinct orange forelegs are another characteristic.
Peppered Jumping Spider (Pelegrina galathea)
The peppered jumping spider is a dark brown spider with a creamy-white or tan patterned. The peppered jumping spider’s cephalothorax is comparable to its abdomen, which is a distinctive identifying trait. Depending on the species, the tiny native American spider ranges from 0.14 to 0.21 inches (3.6 to 5 mm).
The peppered jumping spider has a robust body, short stocky legs, eight eyes, rectangular head, and egg-shaped abdomen, like other jumping spiders in the Salticidae family.
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
The dark-colored body, white-banded legs, and abdomen speckled with whitish-tan dots and marks distinguish the peppered jumping spider.
Long-Palped Ant Mimic Sac Spider (Castianeira longipalpa)
The brown and black Castianeira longipalpa has white dots on its glossy oval abdomen. The abdomen of the black and white spider is striped with tiny white dots in a pattern that is striped. The spider’s black or dark brown banded legs are other identifying features.
Ant mimics spiders with long palps are widespread throughout the United States.
Black Spider With White Spots Identification
The four or more dotted white bands along the little black spider’s body identify it. The two pairs of close together front legs are a distinguishing feature.
White-Tailed Spider (Lampona cylindrata)
A tiny black spider with a solitary white patch at its spinnerets, the white-tailed spider is a slender species. The reddish-brown legs, faint grayish patterns on its belly, and huge leg span distinguish this hunting spider from other species. The white-tailed spider has a leg span of 1.2 inches (3 cm) and grows to be 0.7 inch (1.8 cm).
Black Spider With White Spot Identification
The tail end of the white-tailed spider is adorned with a conspicuous white patch, while its legs are mahogany brown.