List of Spiders in South Carolina

There are dozens of species of spiders in North America that are common in the state of South Carolina. These spiders are both venomous and harmless. Identifying which species is which can be accomplished by factors that include coloring, size and location of find.

  1. Southern Black Widow

    • With the scientific name Latrodectus mactans, the southern black widow spider is commonly known and feared for its notorious venom. Their calling card is the red, hourglass-shaped marking on their abdomens. Like many species of spiders, the male is smaller than the female and is brown rather than black. Though the spiders' venom is harmful to humans, this species tends to stay away from human contact in favor of staying attached to their webs. Their length can vary from 3 mm to 10 mm.

    Grass Spider

    • Agelenopsis spp., or the grass spider (or sometimes the funnel spider), is most commonly spotted during the summer months in virtually every state in the country. Common activity for the grass spider includes the formation of "web funnels," or cylindrical silk structures that create a telegraph wire of sorts to warn predators. They traditionally lay eggs in trees and on sides of buildings. Their length can vary from 15 mm to 20 mm.

    Green Lynx Spider

    • The Peucetia viridans, commonly referred to as the green lynx spider, comes generally in a very obvious color of green, easily identifiable to onlookers. In addition, most spiders in this species have orange and black portions on their bodies. The males are slightly smaller than the females. Most green lynx spiders can be found in grassy areas in order to effectively lay young. Their lengths vary from 12 mm to 16 mm.

    Nursery Web Spider

    • One of the most doting of spider species that can be found in South Carolina is Pisaurina mira, or the nursery web spider; it is well-known for the care it takes for its egg sac containing its young. This sac is moveable. This species commonly carries the eggs around via their fangs, and their nest is generally spun in low areas and on leaves. This web isn't used to catch prey. Their lengths vary from 7 mm to 26 mm.

    Hentz Jumping Spider

    • The Hentz jumping spider, or Hentzia palmarum, jumps onto its victim as opposed to spinning webs to catch its prey. The spider generally comes in colors such as brown, yellow, and white; it's found primarily in the southeastern parts of the United States. Its length varies from 3 mm to 5 mm.