Arizona is home to a diverse range of spider species. From tiny jumping spiders to intimidating tarantulas, spiders in Arizona can be found in backyard gardens, creeping across sandy deserts, and even inside your home. While most spiders are harmless, some species can deliver a painful and potentially dangerous bite.
This guide covers 27 of the most common spiders you’ll encounter in the Grand Canyon State. Descriptions, pictures, and key identification features will help you learn how to identify Arizona spiders.
An Overview of Spiders in Arizona
There are around 27 known species of spiders that inhabit Arizona. Some are native species while others have been introduced. The most frequently encountered spiders in Arizona include:
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Wolf spiders – large, hairy spiders that actively hunt for prey rather than spin webs Common species include the Carolina wolf spider and Koch’s wolf spider
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Orb-weaver spiders – spiders that construct intricate, circular webs to trap insects. The western spotted orbweaver is commonly seen in Arizona.
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Jumping spiders – small, colorful spiders that pounce on their prey. Arizona is home to the Apache jumping spider and the agave jumping spider.
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Black widow spiders – shiny black spiders with a distinctive red hourglass marking. The western black widow is highly venomous.
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Tarantulas – large, hairy spiders that burrow into the ground. Common Arizona tarantulas include the Arizona blond tarantula and the Grand Canyon black tarantula.
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Brown recluse spiders – small venomous spiders with a violin-shaped marking on their body. The native Arizona brown recluse spider inhabits the state.
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Cellar spiders – spiders with very long, thin legs and small bodies. The marbled cellar spider can be found inside Arizona homes.
Wolf Spiders in Arizona
Wolf spiders are common spiders in Arizona that actively hunt for prey rather than spin webs. They have excellent eyesight and speed that enables them to easily chase down insects and other small invertebrates.
Some of the most frequently encountered wolf spiders in the state include:
Carolina Wolf Spider
The Carolina wolf spider is a large, hairy spider reaching up to 2 inches (50 mm) in length The mottled brown and grey body is paired with banded legs in shades of black, grey, cream, and pinkish-brown They are generally found on the ground hunting for prey.
Koch’s Wolf Spider
Smaller than the Carolina wolf spider, Koch’s wolf spider has a body length around 0.6 inches (15 mm). It has a light brown abdomen contrasting with a dark brown cephalothorax and legs banded in shades of tan and brown. They are most active in the spring months.
Alopecosa kochi
Reaching up to 0.6 inches (16 mm) long, Alopecosa kochi has a brownish-grey cephalothorax with a pale stripe down the middle and light brown abdomen with chevron markings. As with other wolf spiders, they actively hunt instead of spinning webs.
Orb-Weaver Spiders in Arizona
Orb-weaver spiders construct intricate, circular webs to trap flying and jumping insects. The spiral pattern catches prey in the sticky threads. Some common orb-weavers in Arizona include:
Western Spotted Orbweaver
This spider has a round black and grey patterned abdomen contrasted with an intricate web decorated with a distinctive zig-zag stabilimentum down the center. The spotted abdomen and banded legs help identify this spider.
Banded Garden Spider
Growing up to 1 inch (25 mm) in length, the banded garden spider has a round black and yellow striped abdomen. Their large webs can often be seen in gardens and fields across the state. A zig-zag stabilimentum runs through the center of the web.
Cat-Faced Orbweaver
This aptly named spider has patterns on its abdomen that resemble a cat’s face, with “ears” formed from two bumps. Beyond this distinguishing mark, they have an oval brown and cream patterned abdomen and build circular webs.
Jumping Spiders of Arizona
As their name suggests, jumping spiders pounce on prey rather than building webs. They have excellent vision and can leap large distances relative to their small size.
Golden Jumping Spider
Metallic green and orange colors cover the body of the golden jumping spider. Iridescent blue hairs surround the face. They use silk draglines to keep hold of prey while jumping.
Apache Jumping Spider
The small Apache jumping spider has a black body with white bands on the abdomen. Despite their tiny size, they can jump up to 4 times their body length to ambush insect prey or escape predators.
Agave Jumping Spider
Agave jumping spiders are common on yucca and agave plants in Arizona. Their greenish-yellow body has distinctive white spots and a reddish-orange abdomen. Excellent jumpers and keen hunters.
Black Widow Spiders in Arizona
The western black widow is one of the most venomous spiders in Arizona. The shiny black body and distinctive red hourglass shape on the underside of the bulbous abdomen identify the females. Bites can be extremely painful and cause severe muscle cramps.
Western Black Widow
Shiny black body with a red hourglass marking on the underside of the female’s abdomen. They construct messy cobwebs rather than neat spiral webs. Around 0.6 inches (15 mm) in length.
False Black Widow
Can resemble a black widow spider but lacks the red hourglass marking. Has a brown/black abdomen and light bands on the legs. Venom is less potent than true black widows.
Tarantulas In Arizona
Several tarantula species call Arizona home. Despite their large size and hairy appearance, tarantulas are not aggressive and rarely bite humans. Some common Arizona tarantulas include:
Arizona Blond Tarantula
A large spider with a leg span between 3-5 inches (75-130 mm). Females have cream and brown colored bodies while males are black with reddish markings on the abdomen.
Grand Canyon Black Tarantula
Jet black body covered in short black hairs, with some red/orange hairs on the abdomen. The females can reach 1.4 inches (35 mm) in body length. Found in northern Arizona.
Desert Tarantula
This brownish tarantula species has a leg span around 2 inches (50 mm). It inhabits both desert environments and woodland areas. Will occasionally wander indoors.
Brown Recluse Spiders in Arizona
While less common than some other spiders, Arizona is home to two venomous recluse spider species:
Arizona Brown Recluse
Light brown bodyreaching 0.4 inches (10 mm) long. Has a darker violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax. Venom can cause serious reactions but bites are rare.
Desert Recluse Spider
Similar markings to the Arizona recluse but slightly smaller. Both species are shy and bite only when threatened. Found in drier areas of the state.
Cellar Spiders in Arizona
Cellar spiders have tiny bodies and extraordinarily long, thin legs. Common species in Arizona include:
Marbled Cellar Spider
Tiny oval body with white and brown marbled patterns. Leg span reaches 2 inches (50 mm) across but the body is only 0.2 inches (5 mm) in length. Found in dark corners of cellars and basements.
Long-bodied Cellar Spider
This spider has a narrow, tube-like abdomen. The daddy long-legs nickname refers to its extremely long legs relative to its small body.Builds messy webs in attics, garages, and sheds.
Less Common Arizona Spiders
Beyond these more frequently seen spiders, there are many other species that inhabit the state in smaller numbers, including:
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Woodlouse hunter – a spider with large jaws that resembles a recluse spider.
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Green lynx spider – bright green garden spider with spiny legs.
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Western parson spider – dark brown with a distinctive pale brown pattern on abdomen.
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Giant crab spider – a large spider with a leg span over 3 inches (75 mm).
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Hirsute paradise spider – colorful jumping spider clad in hairs.
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White-banded crab spider – variable colors with white banding on legs.
Spider Bites in Arizona
Most spiders in Arizona pose no threat to humans. However, it’s important to watch for symptoms if you suspect you’ve been bitten by one of the venomous species:
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Black widow bites cause severe muscle cramps, abdominal pain, and nausea. Seek medical attention immediately.
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Brown recluse spider bites can cause tissue damage. Look for swelling, blistering, and ulcers.
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If bitten by an unidentified spider, apply ice and monitor for signs of infection. Seek medical care if severe pain or ulceration occurs.
How to Avoid Spider Encounters
To reduce run-ins with spiders in and around your Arizona home:
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Remove trash piles and debris that attract insects which spiders prey on.
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Use insecticides and seal cracks in foundations to deter entry.
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Clean up webs and vacuum up spiders to discourage them from sticking around.
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Wear gloves and inspect shoes/clothes when cleaning garages and basements.
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Install lighting to discourage web building in dark corners.
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Shake out towels left on floors before use and always check bedsheets.
With over 50,000 species worldwide, spiders are fascinating creatures that play important roles in our ecosystems. Learning to identify spiders in your local area and understanding venomous species can help avoid painful surprises when cleaning the attic or working in the yard. This guide covers key identification details, habits, and habitat info to help you get acquainted with the incredible diversity of spiders inhabiting the state of Arizona.
Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
Common house spiders, as their name suggests, are abundant in Arizona and throughout the United States. This spider has a yellow, sometimes brown, body with banded yellow to brown legs. Common house spiders are abundant year-round and often build their webs in the spaces between eaves and walls and in window frames. Their webs often lead to cobweb build-up in houses, barns, and sheds. Common house spiders aren’t usually dangerous to humans.
Arizona Recluse Spider (Loxosceles arizonica)
Arizona recluse spiders, or Arizona brown spiders, are venomous spiders that are nearly indistinguishable from the brown recluse. Like brown recluse spiders, they have three pairs of two eyes, thin legs and an unusual, violin-shaped marking on their back. Arizona recluse spiders are abundant in southern Arizona and range from tan to brown in color. Outdoors, these spiders live under old pieces of wood and dead cacti and can hitch a ride into homes aboard firewood or dead cacti skeletons.
Widow spiders are a group of venomous spiders, of which several species are common in the United States. Their ideal habitat includes holes, cracks, crevices, trash, and clutter—all of which human structures like homes and barns offer. The poster child for this spider group is the western black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus). Female western black widows are shiny and jet black with a distinct, hourglass-shaped red marking on their abdomen. Black widow spiders are more active at dusk. While they rarely bite humans, female black widows can produce a venomous neurotoxin that can cause intense pain and spread throughout the body. Bites are rarely fatal, but it’s a good idea to seek medical attention if you’ve been bitten.
FUNNEL WEBS IN ARIZONA? What is this Spider?
FAQ
What is the most common spider in Arizona?
- Arizona brown spider.
- Black widow spider.
- Grass spider.
- Tarantula.
- Wolf spider.
Does AZ have poisonous spiders?
But it’s not just the black widow you need to be aware of. Arizona is home to several species of venomous spiders, including the brown recluse, which can be identified by the distinctive dark brown violin shape on its body.
What does an Arizona brown spider look like?
Arizona Brown Spider is a species of brown recluse spiders found in Arizona. It has two body parts and eight legs, a distinct violin shaped marking on top of the head, 3 sets of eyes, 1/4 to 1/2 inches long with long thin legs, and yellowish to light brown color.
What are these huge spiders in my house?
Among the largest spider species commonly found in houses, Giant House Spiders are known for their fast speed and large size. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are generally harmless to humans and often contribute to controlling pests in homes by preying on insects.
Are there spiders in Arizona?
Yes, there are spiders in Arizona. Some common species found indoors include brown recluses, black widows, Southern house spiders, and wolf spiders. Identifying these spiders is important as some species, like the brown recluse and black widow, can inflict a painful bite.
Which spiders in Arizona are known for their venomous bite?
The state of Arizona has 27 spider species, three of them known for their venomous bite, being potentially dangerous to humans. They occur throughout the state in different landscapes, with the Arizona brown spider and the black widow inhabiting desert areas.
Are there brown spiders in Arizona?
Yes, Arizona brown spiders are common in the state. You’re most likely to find them outside, although they occasionally enter buildings searching for food.
What is the biggest spider in Arizona?
This species is one of the biggest spiders in Arizona! Look for Texas Brown Tarantulas in dry, arid environments, under stones, logs, and underground burrows. They can make their own burrow but commonly use unoccupied animal dens. Even though the Brown Tarantula is large, it is non-aggressive and typically runs away from humans.
What is the scariest spider in Arizona?
Common name: Desert Red Jumping Spider One of the scariest spiders in Arizona, Desert Red Jumping Spiders are sometimes confused with Black Widows. This is a species that shows a red abdomen with black central stripes or an orange-red abdomen contrasted by a black appearance otherwise. This makes it similar to the red-marked venomous Black Widows.
What do Arizona spiders look like?
Arizona spiders can be easily identified by their body shape and colors. Some species, like the Arizona brown spider and widow spiders, have bulbous, oval bodies and long spindly legs. Additionally, spiders have six to eight eyes, a pair of chelicerae (jaws), and silk-spinning organs called spinnerets.