A Guide to Common Spiders Found on Long Island
Long Island's mix of wooded areas, suburban neighborhoods, and coastal habitats make it home to a diverse range of spider species. While most spiders pose no threat to humans, some can inflict painful bites. Knowing how to identify local spiders helps long Island residents coexist safely.
Below we cover 14 common spider species found across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including identification tips, typical habitats, and bite risks for each. Heading outdoors? Keep an eye out for these creepy crawlers.
1. American House Spider
Scientific Name: Parasteatoda tepidariorum
Identifying Features: Gray or tan body with mottled black and white abdomen. Long, spindly legs that protrude at awkward angles rather than lying flat.
Habitat: Indoors and outdoors under rocks and debris. Attracted to artificial structures.
Bite Risk: Low. Rarely bites humans unless provoked. Non-venomous fangs cause mild irritation in rare cases.
2. Barn Funnel Weaver
Scientific Name: Tegenaria domestica
Identifying Features: Pale tan color with dark brown markings on abdomen. Long front legs and short, thick rear legs. Create flat, tube-like webs in dark corners.
Habitat: Barns, sheds, garages, and other structures. Prefer dark corners.
Bite Risk: Low. Generally not aggressive but may bite if disturbed. Venom is mild.
3. Cross Orbweaver
Scientific Name: Araneus diadematus
Identifying Features: Plump black and yellow body with distinct cross-shaped pattern on abdomen. Build large, intricate web spirals up to 2 feet wide.
Habitat: Gardens, near wood piles, vegetation in sunny areas.
Bite Risk: Low. Timid and rarely bites humans. Venom mild.
4. Fishing Spider
Scientific Name: Dolomedes tenebrosus
Identifying Features: Brown body with striped legs spanning up to 3 inches. Found near water and can run across surface of ponds and streams.
Habitat: Alongside lakes, rivers, marshes, wetlands throughout Long Island.
Bite Risk: Low-moderate. May bite if handled but venom is not very toxic.
5. Grass Spider
Scientific Name: Agelenopsis species
Identifying Features: Brownish spiders with prominent striped legs. Make funnel webs low in vegetation. Two prominent eyes on hexagonal front segment.
Habitat: Lawns, fields, gardens, forest edges.
Bite Risk: Low. Rarely bite unless handled. Weak venom may cause mild sting.
6. Hobo Spider
Scientific Name: Eratigena agrestis
Identifying Features: Large brown body up to 30mm long. Long, sturdy legs. Fast moving hunters.
Habitat: Moist, dark places like basements, sheds, woodpiles.
Bite Risk: Moderate. Venom can be medically significant, though rare. Can cause mild skin lesions.
7. Longbodied Cellar Spider
Scientific Name: Pholcus phalangioides
Identifying Features: Grayish-brown and thin. Very long, spindly legs that are prone to curling in when disturbed. Make irregular cobweb-style webs in dark corners.
Habitat: Basements, cellars, sheds, garages, and crawl spaces.
Bite Risk: Low. Too small to penetrate skin. Not toxic to humans.
8. Marbled Orbweaver
Scientific Name: Araneus marmoreus
Identifying Features: Abdomen has beige and orange blotchy pattern. Sturdy orb-style web with zigzag pattern through center.
Habitat: Gardens, woodland edges, between vegetation.
Bite Risk: Low. Rarely bites humans. Venom only mildly irritates skin.
9. Southern House Spider
Scientific Name: Kukulcania hibernalis
Identifying Features: Brown body with faint stripe pattern. Prominent heart-shaped pattern on cephalothorax. Make loose, irregular webs low to the ground.
Habitat: Outdoors under rocks and leaf litter. Sometimes wanders indoors.
Bite Risk: Low. Timid but may bite if mishandled. Venom does not affect humans.
10. Wolf Spider
Scientific Name: Rabidosa species
Identifying Features: Sturdy, hairy brown body with striped legs. Large front eyes reflect light at night. Swift hunters that don't build webs.
Habitat: Leaf litter, gardens, lawns, woodlands. Some live in houses.
Bite Risk: Low-moderate. Uncommon. Venom can cause mild skin lesions.
11. Yellow Sac Spider
Scientific Name: Cheiracanthium inclusum
Identifying Features: Greenish-yellow body. Short, club-like front legs. Make small sac-style webs in hidden corners.
Habitat: Houses, sheds, woodpiles. Attracted to dark, damp places.
Bite Risk: Low-moderate. Uncommon but venom can cause mild skin ulcers.
12. Brown Recluse Spider
Scientific Name: Loxosceles reclusa
Identifying Features: Uniform light to dark brown body with characteristic fiddle-shaped marking on back. Six equal-sized eyes.
Habitat: Indoors in dark, dry, undisturbed areas like attics and crawl spaces.
Bite Risk: Moderate. Rarely bites but venom can cause severe skin lesions in some cases.
13. Black Widow Spider
Scientific Name: Latrodectus mactans
Identifying Features: Shiny black body and long, thin legs. Red hourglass shape on the abdomen. Make messy, tangled webs.
Habitat: Undisturbed areas like woodpiles, sheds, and garages.
Bite Risk: Moderate. Venom can cause muscle aches and nausea but antivenom makes serious effects rare.
14. Brown Widow Spider
Scientific Name: Latrodectus geometricus
Identifying Features: Overall brownish-gray spider with banded legs and orange hourglass marking on abdomen. Make irregular cobwebs.
Habitat: Protected outdoor areas like piles of debris or vegetation. Occasionally wander indoors.
Bite Risk: Low. Venom unlikely to have serious effects on humans though may cause mild irritation.
Spider Bite Prevention Tips
The vast majority of spiders in Long Island are harmless to humans. But you can take these precautions to avoid bites:
- Carefully
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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