Guide to Massachusetts Spiders

House Spiders

• The spider people see most in Massachusetts is the common house spider. They are often found inside and outside of homes. They can also be called cobweb spiders, because they weave webs in dark and moist corners of homes. They are easy to recognize because they hang upside down in the center of irregular sharped webs. Females are bigger than males and can reach a peak size of about 1/3 of inch long. They are normally gray or brown, have a circular abdomen and have several dark colored stripes on the abdomen. They are harmless to humans and feed on insects.

Orb Weavers

• There are many different species of orb weavers found in Massachusetts, but all of them share certain characteristics. They are most often found in gardens, forested areas and fields. Orb weavers are easy to identify because they all make circular, flat and wheel shaped webs. Webs vary in size, but they can become very large and ornate. Orb weavers have poor vision, and feel the vibrations of trapped insects in the web before feeding on them. They come in many different colors, including red, orange, white, brown and green. Orb weavers often have oddly-shaped abdomens as well.

Wolf Spiders

• Wolf spiders are common in Massachusetts and the northeast. They come in many different colors ranging from brown, black, gray and even green, so the easiest way to identify them is by their body type. They have thick, hairy bodies, and because of that are often mistaken for tarantulas. Wolf spiders do not make webs, but rather stalk their prey at night. They are commonly found in outdoor areas, normally near weeds or trees, but may travel indoors to basements or cellars. Wolf spiders are normally only found indoors during late summer or fall when temperatures start to lower at night. They will not establish a home indoors, and will normally only bite humans if they are provoked. The bites are painful, but not lethal.

Jumping Spiders

• Jumping spiders are another type of spider often found in Massachusetts. Like the name implies, jumping spiders have the ability to jump several times their own length. They normally do not get bigger than half an inch in length, and come in a variety of colors. The body is normally brown or black with different bright color markings, such as yellow or orange. The bodies are hairy with short legs, and they move very quickly. Jumping spiders are active during the day, preferring the outdoors and sunshine. They are rarely seen indoors, but can accidentally be brought inside. They are not dangerous to humans, and unlike other spiders they have great eyesight, which is why they stalk prey and do not build webs.