Common Pennsylvania Spiders

Pennsylvania is home to a wide array of spiders both large and small. The extensive farmland in the center of the state makes for ideal breeding grounds for all sorts of species, from the harmless grass spider to the highly venomous black widow. Spiders are generally a welcome presence by farmers for the arachnid's ability to minimize insect populations that otherwise would feast on his crops. In homes, however, spiders can prove to be an unwanted (though seldom dangerous) nuisance.

  1. Grass Spiders

    • Grass spiders are quite common in Pennsylvania and are easily recognized by the female's unique "sheet-like" webs, back markings and pronounced hind spinnerets. The female grass spider rarely exceeds 20 mm in length--with the males topping out at 18 mm--and has yellow to brown carapaces and dark legs. This type of spider can be found primarily in tall grass, ivy, brush and bushes. Grass spiders are quick on the ground and often attempt to move indoors during the fall.

    Wolf Spiders

    • Pennsylvania is the home to one of the largest species of wolf spiders in the United States. Females of the hogna carolinenis vary from 22 to 35 mm, with males of the species topping out at 20 mm. The carapace of this wolf spider is dark brown with gray splotches of hair throughout, with the legs a solid brown. While the wolf spider is an active hunter, the venom is relatively harmless to humans, causing only redness and momentary pain.

    Longbodied Cellar Spiders

    • These spiders are more commonly known as the "daddy long legs." The species is common in nearly every home in Pennsylvania and dwells in a variety of buildings throughout the year. Both males and females are relatively small and never get much larger than 8 mm (though the forelegs of adult females are commonly 50 mm in length) with light tan or yellow bodies and gray markings. Longbodied cellar spiders are the "shy" sort of spider and are not known to bite humans.