Field guide · Species directory
Arachnids
Arizona Bark Scorpion
Centruroides sculpturatus
A small pale scorpion — the most venomous in North America. Stings are painful and can require antivenom in young children, but adult fatali…
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
A small bold jumping spider — black with white markings and metallic green chelicerae. Famous for hunting by sight and stalking prey with ca…
Brown Recluse Spider
Loxosceles reclusa
A medium-sized brown spider with violin-shaped marking on body. Medically significant — bites can cause severe necrotic lesions.
Carolina Wolf Spider
Hogna carolinensis
The largest wolf spider in North America — body up to 1.5 inches. A ground-hunter that chases prey rather than spinning a web. Mothers carry…
Cellar Spider (Daddy Long Legs)
Pholcus phalangioides
Common indoor spider often called "daddy long legs" but is a true spider. Eats other spiders.
Eastern Wolf Spider
Hogna sp.
Generic reference to eastern wolf spider species.
Giant Whip Scorpion (Vinegaroon)
Mastigoproctus giganteus
A scary-looking but mostly harmless arachnid — black, up to 3 inches, with massive pincers and a long whip-like tail. Sprays acetic acid (vi…
Marbled Orb-weaver
Araneus marmoreus
A round-bodied spider with a brilliantly patterned orange-and-yellow abdomen — sometimes called "pumpkin spider" for its autumn appearance a…
Southern Black Widow
Latrodectus mactans
A glossy black spider with the iconic red hourglass on the underside. Females have potent neurotoxic venom but rarely bite unless trapped ag…
Spiny Garden Orbweaver
Micrathena gracilis
A medium spider with distinctive spiny body shape.
Striped Bark Scorpion
Centruroides vittatus
A small scorpion common in central US. Less venomous than Arizona bark scorpion.
Tarantula (Mexican Red-knee)
Brachypelma smithi
A medium-sized tarantula with bold orange-red knees on black legs. Heavily collected for pet trade; now restricted.
Texas Brown Tarantula
Aphonopelma hentzi
A large hairy spider — leg span up to 4 inches — that lives in silk-lined burrows. Often seen crossing roads in autumn mating season. Bites …
Western Black Widow
Latrodectus hesperus
Western counterpart to the southern black widow. Same medical concerns; bites painful but rarely fatal with modern care.
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
A large striking orb-weaver — black-and-yellow body, banded legs, and characteristic zigzag "stabilimentum" of dense silk down the web cente…
Looking for something specific?