Spiders in Georgia: A Guide to Common Species

Georgia is home to a fascinating diversity of spider species. From tiny jumping spiders to large orb weavers, these eight-legged creatures can be found in backyards, forests, and buildings across the state. While a few venomous spiders like the black widow do reside in Georgia, most species are harmless to humans.

For anyone interested in learning more about spiders in the Peach State, this guide covers some of the most common species you’re likely to encounter

Orb Weavers

Orb weavers are some of the most familiar spiders in Georgia. As their name suggests, they spin characteristic circular webs Orb weavers have a rounded abdomen and legs that extend out to the sides like a crab.

Some of the most common orb weavers in Georgia include

• Yellow Garden Spider: This species has a black and yellow striped abdomen. Their webs can sometimes reach 2 feet across! They are harmless to humans.

• Spinybacked Orbweaver: The female of this species has a rounded abdomen with 6 prominent spikes. They can change color to camouflage themselves.

• Golden Silk Orbweaver: One of the largest orb weaver species, the female can reach 1.5 inches long. They weave extremely strong silk webs.

• Marbled Orbweaver: This orb weaver has striking black, orange, and white markings on its abdomen. It prefers to build webs near streams and marshes.

Jumping Spiders

As their name suggests, jumping spiders are well known for their ability to leap significant distances compared to their small size. They have a squat appearance and large front facing eyes. Jumping spiders don’t build webs to catch prey, they actively hunt instead.

Some jumping spiders in Georgia include:

• Bold Jumping Spider: A fuzzy black spider with white stripes on its abdomen and legs. It can jump up to 6 inches!

• Tan Jumping Spider: This tiny tan spider is only 1⁄4 inch long but can jump 4 times its body length. It has a small white dash on its abdomen.

• Golden Jumping Spider: Metallic green in color with bright orange-red hairs on its face. It prefers to hunt in trees and shrubs.

Cobweb Spiders

Cobweb spiders spin messy, tangled webs in corners of homes, barns, and other structures in Georgia. They have a bulbous abdomen and slender legs. Many produce venomous bites, though not considered medically significant.

Common cobweb spider species include:

• Southern House Spider: A large spider reaching over 1 inch long. The male wanders in search of females while the female stays put in her web.

• Common House Spider: Makes the classic cobwebs in attics and windowsills. They have stripe-like markings on their bulbous abdomen.

• Brown Widow: A highly venomous relative of the black widow. They have tan and brown coloration with orange hourglass shape on the underside.

• Triangulate Cobweb Spider: Small spider with a black and white geometric pattern on top of its abdomen. Builds sheet webs in bushes and gardens.

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are ground dwellers and don’t build webs to catch prey. They actively hunt instead. Most wolf spiders in Georgia have camouflage patterns of black, brown, tan, and grey. They have a distinct eye pattern with 2 large front eyes and 2 rows of smaller eyes.

Some wolf spiders found in the state include:

• Rabid Wolf Spider: A speedy brown spider with two stripes running down the head. Can bite but is not dangerous to humans.

• Carolina Wolf Spider: A large fuzzy spider that can reach over 1 inch long. It is brown with grey and black markings on its abdomen.

• Tiger Wolf Spider: Identified by its tan color with black tiger-like stripes running down its body and legs.

Fishing Spiders

Fishing spiders are large, semi-aquatic spiders found near ponds, streams, and wetlands in Georgia. They have the unique ability to skate across the water surface thanks to water-repellent hairs that cover their body.

Some fishing spiders in the state include:

• Dark Fishing Spider: Reaching 1 inch long, this spider has brown and grey markings. The female will sometimes eat the male after mating.

• Six-spotted Fishing Spider: Named for the 6 dark spots along its abdomen, this spider can reach 2 inches across in legspan.

• Raft Spider: The largest fishing spider species, reaching 1.5 inches long. They are brown with chevron markings on their abdomen.

Nursery Web Spiders

Nursery web spiders are ground dwellers that don’t build traditional webs for catching prey. The female instead creates a “nursery” web for her egg sack until the eggs hatch. These spiders have a round abdomen with striped or spotted legs.

Some nursery web spiders in Georgia:

• Furrow Spider: This spider digs burrows in the soil lined with silk webbing. They have a brown and grey striped abdomen.

• Pantropical Jumping Spider: Despite the name, this spider doesn’t actually jump. It has an elongated body with white and brown lengthwise stripes.

• Bold Jumper: A black spider with white spots on its abdomen and white stripes on its face. It captures prey by jumping on them.

As you can see, Georgia is home to a diverse community of spider species. Getting to know the most common types in your area can help turn fear into fascination with these misunderstood arachnids that play important roles in the ecosystem. Always be sure to teach children to admire spiders safely from a distance and never handle ones you can’t identify.