Some spiders in Florida are harmless, while others are quite poisonous. Brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders are the two most common poisonous spiders in Florida. However, knowing the species of Florida spiders is very important in determining what kind of arachnid you are dealing with even if a spider does not bite. Brown spiders, for example, may be mistaken for recluse spiders in Florida.
It’s helpful to identify various spider species if you live in Florida or are just visiting. You may observe black, brown, or colorful spiders more often than in colder regions thanks to Florida’s warm, humid climate. If you come across an eight-legged creature scuttling across the floor, what should you do?
This article covers the spiders that are most common in Florida, and it is a guide to identifying them. You can distinguish a brown recluse from a household house spider by using descriptions and images of brown and black spiders.
What are the Most Common Spiders in Florida?
Brown recluse spiders, widow spiders, wolf spiders, and hairy jumping spiders are the most common spiders found in Florida. These common Florida spiders are typically shy and hide in dark areas and tight spaces. Spider widows and recluse spiders are generally only aggressive when they are pinned against a person’s flesh.
What are the Most Common House Spiders in Florida?
The domestic house spider, daddy long legs, southern house spider, and American house spider are the most common spiders found in Florida homes. Florida’s common house spiders are generally unaggressive. Nevertheless, all spiders in Florida may bite, hence it is vital to identify the spider species before handling one.
How to Identify Florida Spiders
The body form, patterns, and if the spider looks hairy are all important factors to consider when identifying spiders in Florida. The red hourglass pattern on the bulbous bodies of black and brown widows, for example, is well-known. House spiders have a V-pattern, while recluse spiders have brown bodies with a violin-like marking. All kinds of spiders can be found in Florida.
Nevertheless, having eight legs, a two-segmented body, and eight eyes distinguishes all spider species. The best way to differentiate spiders from insects is by counting the number of legs and eyes. Measurements in this article are normally for the spider’s body length when providing identifying information about spiders. Several Florida spiders, on the other hand, have a long leg span that gives them the illusion of being bigger.
Types of Spiders Found in Florida (with Pictures) – Identification Guide
Here are some of the most common spiders you may encounter in a Florida home, yard, or outbuilding that we’ll take a closer look at.
Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae)
The hairy striped body of wolf spiders makes them seem even larger than they are. The massive hairy spiders have striped legs, as well as a huge body, thick hairy legs, and occasionally. Wolf spiders have three rows of eyes, with the center row featuring two large eyes. The biggest species in the Hogna genus, wolf spiders may reach a length of 0.4″ to 2″ (10 to 50 mm). They’re often discovered in yards, hiding between debris during the night.
Among the wolf spiders, there is also color variation. Even so, most of them are brown, making it simple to mistake with a brown recluse. Wolf spiders are more often seen hiding than hunting. As a result, they may have copied bodies with yellow, orange, red, and black colors. The Carolina wolf spider, on the other hand, is a solid dark brown color.
Florida Spider Identification: The hairy brown body of wolf spiders makes them seem larger, as does their lengthy fat legs.
Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa)
The brown recluse has a small tan to reddish-brown body, long legs, and an identifiable dark violin shape on its cephalothorax. It is a venomous spider found in Florida. Brown spiders of this size range from 0.25″ to 0.5″ (6 to 12 mm) in length. The fact that Brown recluse spiders have six eyes rather than the typical spider eye pattern distinguishes them.
Florida isn’t home to brown recluses. They are becoming more prevalent, as evidenced by their frequent appearances in dark places such as boxes, attics, closets, and clothes. Brown spiders are reclusive and generally avoid being spotted scuttling across floors, as their name implies.
Florida Spider Identification: The head, light to dark brown body, and long tan legs of most brown recluse spiders are easily identifiable as violin-like markings. The eyes of brown recluse spiders are arranged in pairs, with six in total.
Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus)
The brown widow spider may be found in buildings south of Orlando, although it is not a native of Florida. It has a dark striped back and a dark orange hourglass mark on its underside. On its body, the brown spider has black and pale brown geometric designs, striped legs, and a distinguishing orange hourglass mark on its brown-colored belly. Brown widows are 0.47 to 0.6 inches (12 to 16 mm) long.
In warm, humid areas, brown widows are often seen around structures. One of the reasons non-native spiders thrive in southern Florida is because of this. Garages, closets, attics, and beneath outdoor furniture are all home to the web-spinning spiders. They are not as dangerous as the native southern black widow, despite having a venomous bite.
Florida Spider Identification: The white and black striped legs, bulbous dark brown abdomen, and light orange hourglass abdominal banding distinguish brown widow spiders. It’s difficult to tell the brown widow from the immature black widow.
Domestic House Spider (Tegenaria domestica)
The domestic house spider has two black stripes down its front half of the body and can be found in dark areas behind baseboards, furniture, and other surfaces. With dark patterns along its extended abdomen and striped legs, the brown Florida spider has a brown body. The domestic house spider is 0.24 to 0.47 inch (6 to 12 mm) long. Brown household spiders are rather inoffensive, despite their frightening appearance. When they are frightened, they may bite, although their bite is generally harmless and has no side effects.
Florida Spider Identification: The abdomen of domestic house spiders is mottled brown and beige, with two black stripes on the cephalothorax.
Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis)
The brown body and black hairs of the large southern house spider identify it as such. The velvety fine hairs and brown legs with black spines distinguish the brown spider, which has a slender brown elongated oval body. The abdomen of adult female house spiders may be somewhat bulbous.
These massive spiders, which can reach 2 inches (5 cm) in length, are native to Florida. The brown recluse is frequently mistaken with southern house spiders. Southern house spiders are significantly bigger than common house spiders and have no stripes on their abdomen, which distinguishes them. Furthermore, this spider is calm and will not bite humans.
Florida Spider Identification: The dark brown body and huge size of the southern house spider distinguish it.
Huntsman Spiders (Sparassidae)
Huntsman spiders are a collection of big tan-colored spiders with huge crab-like legs. They number in the hundreds of species. Huntsman spiders are frequently mistaken for pale brown tarantulas in Florida. The large spiders, on the other hand, are brown or gray in color and have crimson patches near their mouthparts.
With a leg span of up to 6” (150 mm), Huntsman spiders grow to approximately 1″ (25 mm). The flattened, rounded cephalothorax of the huntsman spider is a feature. Huntsman spiders are common in avocado groves and can be found in the wild in warm climates such as Florida. In colder weather, the spider can be found under furniture, in closets, garages, and behind wall hangings.
Florida Spider Identification: The spherical cephalothorax, small brown hairy bodies, and huge brown legs with black spines of Huntsman spiders distinguish them.
Crab Spider (Thomisidae)
Although they may change yellow to camouflage, the goldenrod crab spider is recognized by its massive globe white body. The goldenrod crab spider (Misumena vatia), which grows to be up to 0.4 inch (10 mm) long, is a common species. On its back, an unusual white spider appears to be carrying a button mushroom.
Milkweed, buttercup, red clover, and goldenrod blooms are common places to find crab spiders in Florida. The spider’s color changes depending on the flowers it eats, which is an fascinating attribute. Yellow spiders in Florida gardens might be one of these.
Florida Spider Identification: The huge egg-shaped abdomens, clear legs, and ability to walk sideways and forward distinguish crab spiders from other spiders.
Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
This common brown or black spider has a bulbous body with mottled patterning and is known as the American house spider. Little brown spiders, although small enough to be difficult to detect, are harmless to humans and may be found in areas where people live. Humans are not attacked by American house spiders.
If they feel threatened, they may occasionally bite. These little brown spiders use complex webs to capture flies, ants, mosquitos, and wasps. They’re also known as cobweb spiders.
Florida Spider Identification: The body of the American house spider is bulging and patterned, with a lustrous brown color.
Spiny Orb-Weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)
With its white oval body, black marks, and spiky red spines, the spiny orb-weaver is a red, black, and white spider with a unique appearance. The abdomen of this white spider is wider than it is long. The little spider is 0.35″ (9 mm) long and 0.5″ (13 mm) broad in size, making it a tiny Florida spider.
Because of their crab-like appearance, spiny orb-weaving spiders are often referred to as crab spiders. In Florida, they can be found growing in citrus plantations, shrubby gardens, and woods. If you encounter this unusual white spider, there is no need to be concerned. It’s not harmful, and it consumes insects that may damage your landscaping plants.
Florida Spider Identification: The white oval body of a spiny orb-weaver spider is spotted with black markings and has crimson spines that are readily visible.
Golden Silk Orb-Weaver (Trichonephila clavipes)
The golden silk spider is found in many southern US states, including Florida. It is known as the banana spider because of its yellow color. The reddish-brown or yellow coloring of this big colorful spider is an distinguishing characteristic. The elongated black body of this garden spider is shown to have white markings on photographs.
Between 0.94″ and 1.6″ (24 mm) is the average size of an adult spider. During the nighttime, banana spiders are common in Florida gardens and seldom venture inside. To catch its prey, the colorful spiders create distinctive yellow-colored webs. They are thought to be Florida’s biggest orb-weaver spiders.
Florida Spider Identification: The legs of golden silk orb-weaver spiders are striped in brilliant black, yellow, and red, and their body is covered in white markings.
Jumping Spiders (Salticidae)
Two species of jumping spiders that are native to Florida are the gray wall jumper and the pantropical jumper. The cephalothorax and abdomen of black and white hairy spiders are rounded. Their fuzzy black and white striped legs are another way to identify them.
The length of Florida jumping spiders may reach 0.47 inches (12 mm). During the night, the gray wall jumper (Menemerus bivittatus) may be seen leaping from wall to wall. Because the spiders feed on mosquitoes, flies, and other household insects, they are also classified as beneficial insects. They’re also less likely to build cobwebs in homes.
A black spider with a conspicuous white stripe down its head and abdomen, the pantropical jumper (Plexippus paykulli) is recognized as a male and female. The markings on the mature female jumper, on the other hand, are duller and greyer than those of the juvenile.
Florida Spider Identification: Hairy bodies, black and white colors, and the ability to jump are all identifying features of Florida jumping spiders. Jumping spiders are harmless to humans, which is fortunate.
Southern Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans)
The southern black widow spider has a black body with a crimson hourglass pattern on its belly underside. The hourglass-shaped black spider has two crimson triangle designs. A spherical, bulbous glossy black body, long forelegs, and a relatively tiny skull are all characteristics of a southern black widow.
The length of southern black widows ranges from 0.3 to 0.5 inches (8 to 13 mm). A painful bite, redness, swelling, and muscular cramps are all symptoms of a harmful spider bite. It is critical to go to the doctor as soon as possible if you think a black widow has bitten you..
Florida Spider Identification: The vivid red hourglass pattern of a southern black widow spider contrasts with its glossy black spherical body.
Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus)
The black glossy body and red or dark orange marks on the rear distinguish the northern black widow spider. Northern black widow spiders have a bulbous black abdomen with three or more dark orange or red dots on their back, and the underside of one has two red dots.
The black legs of the venomous black spider are also rather lengthy, with dark orange stripes on occasion. A leg span of 1.5” (38 mm) and a height of 0.5″ (13 mm) for female northern black widows. Northern black widows are less frequent in Florida. It is still present in structures north of Orlando and up through southern Canada, though. The three dots and stripes on the northern widow distinguish it from the southern widow.
Florida Spider Identification: A venomous black spider with three crimson marks on its abdomen, the northern black widow is a deadly species. Northern black widows’ abdomens have distinct white stripes, as do those of juveniles.
Red Widow Spider (Latrodectus bishopi)
The red widow spider has an orange head and legs, a crimson-spotted black body, and orangey-red legs and head. It can be recognized in Florida. In the red widow, there is no hourglass pattern that distinguishes her from other black widows. Instead, red spots with yellow rings may be used to identify this venomous spider.
In Florida’s sand dunes, where sand pines grow, the red widow spider can be found. Up to 0.5″ (13 mm) long, the red and black spiders are about the size of a BB. Red widows seldom bite humans, unlike the southern black widow. This is most likely due to the fact that it is seldom encountered by humans.
Florida Spider Identification: The red widow spider has crimson and white dots on a rounded, bulging black abdomen. It is an orange and black spider.
Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
In Florida gardens, the black and yellow garden spider is a huge spider with long legs that may bite when handled. The pointed oval black abdomen with vivid yellow markings distinguishes the yellow spider. Despite its large size, this spider is harmless to humans and has long black and yellow striped legs.
The diameter of the garden spider is up to 1.1 inches (28 mm). In southern gardens, yellow garden spiders are frequently seen sitting in the center of complicated webs. The zig-zag pattern on the spider webs is well-known. A yellow garden spider’s bite is similar to a bee sting in terms of pain.
Florida Spider Identification: The black and yellow spider has a grayish-white head and an identifiable oval body with black and yellow patterns.
Daddy Long Legs (Pholcus phalangioides)
Daddy long-legs spiders, characterized by their spindly spindly legs and thin brown bodies, are found in dark nooks all around the state of Florida. Yellowish-brown spiders have legs that are six times longer than their bodies and are also known as skull spiders or long-bodied cellar spiders. Although their large leg span makes them appear bigger, small-bodied light brown spiders grow up to 0.4″ (10 mm) long. The harvestmen (Opiliones) arachnid group, for example, is known as daddy long-legs.
Florida Spider Identification: Long pale-brown legs, a darker tear-shaped abdomen, and a cephalothorax shaped like a human skull are all features of Daddy long legs spiders.