Spiders in Ohio: A Guide to Identification, Habitats, and Behaviors

Ohio is home to over 600 species of spiders making it one of the most spider-rich states in the country. While some spiders in Ohio can deliver a painful (but usually harmless) bite most play an important role as predators of pest insects. Learning to identify, appreciate, and coexist with spiders can lead to a healthier environment both indoors and out.

Common Spiders Found in Ohio

Below are some of the most frequently encountered spiders in the Buckeye State

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders are common daytime hunters in Ohio. They use their excellent eyesight and jumping ability to ambush insect prey.

• Bold Jumper (Phidippus audax): A fuzzy black spider with white spots and metallic green fangs. Often enters homes.

• Dimorphic Jumper (Maevia inclemens): Variable coloration. Males occur in a tufted black form and an untufted gray form.

• Emerald Jumper (Paraphidippus aurantius): Iridescent green body with white stripes and spots. Active in sunny areas.

Orb Weavers

Orb weavers spin beautiful circular webs with geometric patterns. Many build new webs each night.

• Banded Garden Spider (Argiope trifasciata): Large black and yellow spider. Females have silver-white markings.

• Marbled Orbweaver (Araneus marmoreus): Abdomen patterned with yellow, orange, white and black.

• Shamrock Orbweaver (Araneaus trifolium): Sometimes greenish with white shamrock pattern on abdomen.

• Arrowhead Orbweaver (Micrathena sagittata): Triangular abdomen with spines.

Cobweb Spiders

Cobweb spiders create messy, tangled webs in corners or crevices. Most are harmless to humans.

• Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans): Shiny black with red hourglass marking. Venomous but bites are rare.

• Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum): Drab brown spider in homes. Hangs upside down in web.

• Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica): Unusual spider that spits glue to capture prey. Globular head.

Wolf Spiders

Large, hairy spiders that hunt prey on the ground. Do not spin webs for catching prey.

• Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida): Large brown spider with black stripes on body and legs. Fast runner.

• Pirate Wolf Spider (Pirata minutus): Tiny brown spider with white spots. Carries egg sac attached to abdomen.

Fishing Spiders

Semi-aquatic spiders that hunt near water. Some can dive below the surface to catch prey.

• Six-spotted Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton): Brown fishing spider with white spots on abdomen.

• Raft Spider (Dolomedes albineus): Large brown fishing spider with white stripes on legs.

Crab Spiders

Ambush predators that wait motionless for prey on flowers and foliage. Can change color.

• Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia): White to yellow with spots on abdomen.

• White-banded Crab Spider (Misumenops asperatus): Smaller spider with white line across face.

Spider Habitats in Ohio

Spiders live in virtually every habitat across the state of Ohio. Below are some of the prime spots to find spiders:

• Forests: Mature forests with lots of leaf litter harbor ground spiders like wolf spiders. Orb weavers build webs in the understory.

• Backyards: Gardens, woodpiles, and corners of sheds attract black and yellow garden spiders, crab spiders, and common house spiders.

• Wetlands: Fishing spiders lurk near the edges of marshes, ponds, and streams. Horizontal orb weavers build webs above water.

• Grasslands: Wolf spiders and jumping spiders hunt prey in fields and tall grasses. Many build retreats underground.

• Structures: Long-bodied cellar spiders spin messy webs in basements. Jumping spiders and cobweb spiders frequent homes.

Spider Behavior and Life Cycle

• Most spiders in Ohio reproduce in spring and summer, with egg-laying in late summer or fall. Some overwinter as eggs and hatch in spring.

• Young spiders disperse by “ballooning” – releasing silk strands that allow them to float on air currents.

• To grow, spiders molt their exoskeleton as they mature. Most molt 5-10 times before reaching adulthood.

• Male spiders court females using dances, vibrations, touch, and chemical signals. Mating often involves the male depositing sperm into the female’s reproductive organs using his pedipalps.

• Female spiders protect and groom their egg sacs, which may contain hundreds of eggs. Some guard the spiderlings after they emerge.

• The largest spiders in Ohio have up to a 4 inch legspan. Tiny sheetweb weavers can be smaller than 1/16 of an inch.

Spider Bites & Venom Toxicity

• Most spiders in Ohio have venom too weak to significantly affect humans. Bees and wasps usually cause more severe reactions.

• Only two spiders are potentially dangerous – the black widow and recluse spiders. But bites are very rare and unlikely to be lethal.

• Black widows prefer drier, protected locations like barns and woodpiles. Recluse spiders mainly inhabit structures in southern Ohio.

• If bitten by a spider, remain calm and apply ice. Seek medical advice for severe reactions. Attempting to capture the spider can help identify species.

• Most suspected spider bites are actually infections or other conditions. Unless you find a crushed spider on your body, assume you were bitten by something else.

By learning to identify the most common spiders in Ohio, understanding their habitats and behaviors, and using caution around the few potentially dangerous species, Ohioans can coexist safely with these fascinating creatures. Spiders are an important part of our ecosystem and provide natural pest control, so it is to our benefit to welcome them in the environment both indoors and out.