Common Spiders of Rhode Island

Orb Weaver or Garden Spider

• These spiders can be characterized by a beautiful elaborate circular web used to trap insects. When an insect gets stuck in the web, the orb weaver, which has poor vision, feels the vibration and quickly reaches the victim and wraps it in the silk of its web.

  Adult males usually have large abdomens of various colors such as black, yellow, orange, red and green. These spiders reach about an inch in length and often can be found in bushes, tall grass and in sunny, open places where there are plenty of insects. Garden spiders are not dangerous, but they can bite if provoked.

Wolf Spiders

• Female wolf spiders are large and hairy. They are brown, black, yellow, orange and green, with a stripe on the their body, and are often confused with tarantulas. They are active at night and usually hunt outdoors, but in the fall they can often be found in cellars or basements.

  These spiders do not make webs and are not aggressive, but they can bite if scared or trapped.

Jumping Spiders

• Jumping spiders are about half an inch long, but don't let their small size fool you. They can jump several times of their size to catch prey. Jumping spiders rely on their vision and normally hunt outdoors during the day, but they can be spotted on walls, windows and doors inside. Their body features bright colors. Some jumping spiders are black with orange spots and others are brown, gray and yellow with white markings. These spiders can bite but are essentially harmless.

House or Cobweb Spider

• These spiders usually can be seen hanging upside down from their web in dark corners of moist rooms or outdoors. The females are larger than males and are about one-third of an inch in length, with colors ranging from gray to brown. Cobweb spiders take a few months to mature. They are not aggressive and are harmless to humans.

Cellar Spiders

• Staying true to their name, cellar spiders usually inhabit cellars, barns and damp rooms, and they spin oddly shaped webs. They feature gray or brown colors and do not exceed about one-fourth of an inch in length. They are not venomous or aggressive.

Northern Black Widow

• The northern black widow is the only venomous spider found in Rhode Island and it is quite rare to come across one. Females reach about half an inch in size and males, being much smaller, are about one-third the size of the females. These spiders are black with a bright red hourglass spot on the their abdomen.

  They are commonly found in wood piles, and although not aggressive, they will bite if touched. Their bites are sharp and painful and require immediate medical attention. Always wear gloves in areas where northern black widows can be found to avoid being bitten.