Common Hawaiian Spiders

One of the notable aspects of being in a tropical environment is that the bugs are just bigger there. Hawaii, being the most tropical state in America, is no different. Whether you are planning a trip to Hawaii or you are just a spider enthusiast, there are some common Hawaiian spiders that are truly noteworthy. Some are venomous; some are not. They are all, however, noteworthy for their own reasons.

  1. Cane Spider

    • The cane spider is also commonly known as the large brown spider. It is normally the size of a tuna fish can, with a large body and hairy legs. This light brown-colored spider, which is nonvenomous, gets its name from frequenting cane sugar fields, although it will often wander into houses in search of cockroaches and other bugs. The spider does not spin a web. Rather, it tracks it prey down. Cane spiders generally do not bite unless provoked.

    Brown Widow

    • The average female brown widow spider's body is a half-inch long and its leg span is typically 1 1/2 to 2 inches. The male spider is only about one-third the female's size. Only the female species is dangerous. The brown widow will hunt for its food during the night. Their light brown color and hourglass-shaped markings are a giveaway to their identity, as are their banded yellow-and-black legs. Brown widows are common in both tropical and residential areas.

    Southern Black Widow

    • Another spider from the widow family found in Hawaii is the southern black widow. The southern black widow is the same size as the more common brown widow, but it differs in color and markings. The southern black widow is black with a red dot on the back end of its abdomen. The female southern black widow is considered dangerous, but the male isn't. They will normally bite only when provoked.

    Huntsman

    • The huntsman spider is a nonaggressive spider found in Hawaii. The bite of the huntsman can be very painful, although the spider is considered nontoxic. The huntsman has a body around half an inch in length with long legs. The huntsman spider is covered in hair and is beige or brown in color. The spider prefers to live under the flaking bark of trees and under rocks or leaves. The huntsman is capable of moving sideways at a very fast speed.