Getting to Know Wood Spiders Through Photos
Wood spiders belong to the Agelenidae spider family and get their name from their preference of making webs in wooded areas. With over 1,100 species globally across the Agelenidae genera, wood spiders demonstrate intriguing diversity in their appearances and web spinning talents.
While the majority of wood spiders pose no threat to humans, some caution is still warranted around these skillful hunters. Bites are rare, but in some cases venom can cause mild reactions. The good news is that wood spiders help control insect populations and are relatively harmless if left undisturbed.
Gain a better understanding of these fascinating wood-dwellers through photos and insights into some of the most common wood spider species found throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
Identifying Key Wood Spider Characteristics
Wood spiders share several signature features that aid in identification. Expect to see:
- Two prominent eyes stacks in the front center of the cephalothorax (head area)
- Four smaller eyes present too
- Prominent, large spinnerets at the tip of the tapered abdomen
- Striped or banded leg patterns
- An overall hairy appearance
They range in body size from just 1⁄4 inch to over 1 inch long depending on exact species. Some also exhibit striking colors while others blend in well camouflaged against tree bark.
Meet 5 Common Wood Spider Species Through Photos
From the spruce-fir moss spider tucked away in mountain tree canopies, to the notorious giant house spider that finds its way into homes, here are 5 wood spiders to know that frequently appear throughout forests worldwide as well as backyards and basements on occasion.
1. Banded Garden Spider
The banded garden spider (Argiope trifasciata), also called the banded orb weaver, is a gorgeous wood spider that spins stunning webs in gardens, fields, and forest edges across North America. They earn their name from distinctive silver and brown stripes circling their large round abdomens as well as their squat front body segments.
Banded garden spiders construct incredible circular webs measuring over two feet wide anchored among vegetation with zigzag designs called stabilimenta running through the center. Experts remain uncertain of the stabilimenta’s purpose—theories range from attracting prey to camouflaging the spider from predators like birds to even reflecting UV light to aid navigation.
Despite their intimidating size up to 1.5 inches, banded garden spiders are extremely docile and won’t bite humans unless severely threatened. Their venom poses a very minor risk to people if they do.
2. Marbled Cellar Spider
Much tinier and subtly pretty, the marbled cellar spider (Holocnemus pluchei) is a common wood spider dwelling in dark cracks and corners of cellars, sheds, barns and bark. Ranging between 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 inch long, their grey-brown bodies flaunt faint white patterned markings, giving them a marbled look.
Instead of spinning orb style webs, marbled cellar spiders build fluffy looking funnel style webs and wait inside vibrating the silk to detect tasty insects wandering by. They emerge from the funnel’s hole swiftly when prey enters the web to bite with paralysis-inducing venom and wrap things up.
Marbled cellar spiders help control nuisance bugs indoors but aren’t considered dangerous. They rarely bite but may inflict a slight sting if they do.
3. Giant House Spider
As their name implies, the giant house spider (Eratigena atrica) grows impressively large with leg spans reaching over 4 inches. They’re primarily outdoor wood spiders living in sheds, woodpiles and tree hollows. But mature males often venture indoors in fall seeking mates which stirs up some chaos!
These hairy brown brutes with markings on their bulbous abdomens unnerve homeowners but are essentially harmless. They actually help deter pests like roaches and rodents. Giant house spider bites are extremely rare and only cause mild pain if they do bite.
4. Nursery Web Spider
The nursery web spider (Pisaurina mira) earns its sweet name from carrying an egg sac in its jaws after mating until the spiderlings hatch. They prefer humid woodlands and build horizontal sheet webs low in vegetation to capture small insects.
Adult females measure roughly 5/8 inch long touting grey-brown camouflage patterned bodies with faint stripes on their larger abdomens. The elongated front body section sports four pairs of dark eyes.
Nursery web spiders are timid and nonaggressive. While their fangs can pierce skin, their venom produces no worse than minor discomfort around the bite site if they do bite in defense.
5. Spruce-Fir Moss Spider
Lastly, the spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga) takes wood spider reclusiveness to another level! Found only at very high elevations in spruce-fir forests like the Appalachian Mountains, they spend their entire lives under tree bark or tucked deep inside moss mats and rotting logs on forest floors.
Measuring approximately 1⁄2 inch, their dark reddish-brown hue allows incredible camouflage no matter where they hide. If exposed, they sink down pressing their bodies tightly to their legs in a unique defensive posture.
As these ultra-shy wood spiders rarely encounter humans, bites don’t occur. But they would only induce mild swelling if they did.
Common Habits and Traits Among Wood Spiders
In addition to physical similarities, wood spiders share common habits and instincts as members of the same spider family.
Web Architecture Preferences
The type of web a spider constructs offers lots of insight into their behavior. Wood spiders employ two main web designs:
- Orb style: Circular style with spokes and rings. Often built in vegetation, gardens, between trees.
- Funnel style: Funnel or tube shaped with a wide opening tapering down to a corner where the spider waits inside. Built in wood piles, corners of homes, barns, cellars.
Nocturnal Activity
Wood spiders tend to be most active at night when cooler temperatures aid movement and it's easier to spot prey in vibration sensitive webs. During daylight they usually rest hidden in funnel webs, under debris, tree bark or plants.
Annual Life Cycle
Wood spiders live for about a year going from eggs, to spiderlings, to sexually mature adults before dying. Mating typically occurs in summer and fall. Females then produce an egg sac and many species watch over it through winter until hatching in spring.
Tips for Safely Coexisting with Wood Spiders
Seeing impressive webs decorated with plump wood spiders surprises many people venturing through nature or even suddenly spotting giants indoors. But in most cases, wood spiders present no problems at all peacefully performing their essential ecosystem services.
Follow these tips for safely coexisting in their habitat:
Allow Them to Help
Welcoming wood spiders outdoors and even inside in moderation lets them control pesky insect populations for free naturally!
Leave Them Unbothered
Avoid disturbing wood spider webs in forests/parks and refrain from touching spiders indoors. Simply ushering them into a cup and transporting them back outside avoids needing to kill them.
Teach Children Compassion
Help kids appreciate spiders are not out to get us. Teach gentle catching/releasing and that spider bites usually only happen if they get pinned against skin.
Seek Treatment for Severe Reactions Only
In the rare case a wood spider does bite in defense and you have severe swelling, pain, or other worrisome reaction, see a doctor. Otherwise symptom management at home normally suffices.
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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