How to Identify a Spider by Region

It is good to become familiar with spiders native to your area. This not only protects you from venomous ones, but it also alerts you to any invasive species. According to the Entomological Society of America, invasive spiders can wreak untold damage on a particular environment as well as eating up all the local spiders. Spiders also can invade countries in cargo containers or through the exotic pet trade.

Things You'll Need

  • Internet access
  • Camera
  • Phone
  • Container with ventilated lid (if necessary)
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Instructions

  1. Itsy Bitsy Spider

    • 1

      Notice the spider's physical appearance. What color is it? Are there any patterns on the head or abdomen? Are the legs long in proportion to the body, or are they short? Can you see hairs on the legs? If the spider is already dead, this is easier to do, but don't kill a spider just to identify it.

    • 2

      Notice how the spider moves. Does it move in the scuttling way common to spiders, or does it make a series of quick hops? Does it spin a web or does it pounce on prey?

    • 3

      Take pictures of the spider or do a quick sketch. If you can get the photos or sketches on your computer, so much the better.

    • 4

      Contact a biology professor at your local college or university. Schedule an appointment and bring your pictures, sketches or the spider itself in a container with a well-ventilated lid. The professor will need to know the spider's behavior. After the appointment, depending on whether the professor can identify it, you can give the spider to the professor or release the spider where you found it.

    • 5

      Contact the Smithsonian Department of Entomology if you can' get help from a local biology professor. They are used to handling requests like this from the public.