Texas is home to over 900 species of spiders, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife, making the likelihood of you finding spiders in your home incredibly high.
While most of the common spider species found in homes aren’t considered poisonous or dangerous to humans and pets, there is a handful to look out for that can cause significant harm. If you suspect you’re dealing with a spider infestation in your Texas home, read this guide to learn about the most common spider species and how to restore safety and peace to every corner of your home.
Spiders in Texas A Guide to Identification Habits and Habitats
Texas is home to a wide variety of spider species due to its diverse climates and habitats. From the pine forests of east Texas to the arid deserts of west Texas, spider lovers can find plenty to see in the Lone Star State. This article will provide an overview of some of the most common spiders found across Texas, how to identify them, their habits, and where they can be spotted.
Jumping Spiders
Jumping spiders are common across Texas and can be found in forests, fields, gardens, and even inside homes. These spiders are easily identified by their compact, hairy bodies and their large front eyes Some of the most frequently seen jumping spiders in Texas include
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Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax) – This black spider has a white stripe on its abdomen and can jump up to 4 times its body length to ambush prey. They are often found around homes and in gardens.
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Dimorphic Jumping Spider (Maevia inclemens) – The male is solid black while the female is tan colored. They grow up to 1/4 inch long and are found in wooded areas.
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Twin-flagged Jumping Spider (Anasaitis canosa) – This tiny jumping spider has two tufts on its face that look like an extra pair of legs. They are found on tree trunks and forest floors.
Orb Weavers
Orb weaver spiders construct beautiful circular webs with sticky silk to trap flying insects. Some of the most common orb weavers in Texas include:
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Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) – This striking yellow and black spider has a large abdomen and builds vertical zig-zag patterns in its web. They are frequently found in fields, gardens, and forests.
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Banded Garden Spider (Argiope trifasciata) – Ranging from orange to black in color, these spiders have distinct white bands on their legs and abdomen. Their webs often contain a stabilimentum, or decorative white zigzag pattern.
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Spinybacked Orbweaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis) – The female of this species has a rounded black and white abdomen with six red spines projecting from it. They build small webs in shrubs and wooded areas.
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are ground dwellers and do not build webs to catch prey. They have excellent eyesight and actively hunt insects. Common wolf spiders in Texas include:
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Carolina Wolf Spider (Hogna carolinensis) – One of the largest wolf spiders in North America, the female can reach 1.5 inches long. She is solid black in color with orange stripes on her large abdomen.
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Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida) – A quick-moving spider with a brown body and darker brown stripes on its abdomen. It has a leg span around 2 inches wide.
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Tigrosa Wolf Spider (Tigrosa spp.) – There are several brownish Tigrosa species in Texas that are small to medium-sized spiders with some faint striping on the abdomen and legs. They are found on the ground and around rocks.
Recluse Spiders
While recluse spiders are not common, Texas is home to two potentially dangerous recluse species:
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Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) – Ranging from yellow-brown to dark brown, they have a dark violin shape on their cephalothorax (head area). They build irregular webs in attics, crawl spaces, and undisturbed corners.
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Texas Recluse (Loxosceles devia) – Similar to the brown recluse but slightly smaller. They have six eyes instead of eight and lack the violin marking. Mostly found in South Texas.
Widow Spiders
The two widow species found in Texas are in the genus Latrodectus. The females of both species have potent venom:
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Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) – Shiny black body with a red hourglass marking on the underside of the rounded abdomen. They build messy webs low to the ground.
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Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus) – Glossy black with red markings on the abdomen, often in an hourglass shape. Found in west Texas and the panhandle.
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Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus) – Ranging from light tan to dark brown or black with an orange hourglass marking on their underside. They frequent suburban areas around homes.
Crab Spiders
Crab spiders do not build webs to catch prey. They have laterigrade legs (extend out to sides) and a flattened appearance. Common species in Texas include:
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White-Banded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) – This species can change color from white to yellow. The female has two wide white bands on the abdomen while the male has a golden abdomen with white markings.
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American Green Crab Spider (Misumessus oblongus) – Females range from bright green to yellow-green with some reddish markings. They do not change color. Found in fields, prairies, and gardens.
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Running Crab Spider (Philodromus sp.) – There are several Philodromus species in Texas that are brown, gray, or sandy colored with flattened bodies. They do not sit and wait for prey like other crab spiders.
Cellar Spiders
Cellar spiders produce messy-looking, haphazard webs in dark corners of homes, garages, and other structures in Texas. Two common species are:
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Longbodied Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides) – Also called daddy longlegs spiders, their spherical body is tiny compared to their extremely long, thin legs. Their legs can reach over 3 inches long while the body remains under 1/4 inch wide.
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Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis) – Large spider around 3/4 inch long with pointed abdomens tapering toward the rear. They are brown or tan in color and build sheet webs.
As this overview shows, Texas plays home to a remarkable diversity of arachnids. While the spiders listed here are not a comprehensive list, these species represent some of the most frequently encountered across the state. With proper identification and awareness of habits, even the most intimidating Texas spiders can be appreciated for their unique biology and important roles in local ecosystems.
Brown recluse spiders
Another venomous spider found in Texas is the Brown recluse spider, which hides during the day and is active at night. They prefer warm, dry spaces like closets and barns. These brown spiders in Texas are also called fiddle-back spiders because the pattern on their back is reminiscent of a violin. Their bites cause decay of the tissue surrounding the bite and should be treated by medical professionals immediately.
Ranging in color from black, tan, brown, or gray, jumping spiders have stout bodies and legs with pale or white markings. Their front legs are typically thick and long, and they’re covered with iridescent hairs. Unlike most other spiders on this list, they don’t spin webs but rather hunt their prey. While jumping spiders may bite in defense, their bites are not poisonous to humans. They’re far more likely to run or jump away than attack.
Wolf spiders are most often brown, gray, or tan with distinct stripe-like markings on their bodies. They are large and stocky, with spiny legs typically covered in hairs. Wolf spiders don’t construct webs. Instead, they create burrows in the ground, waiting for prey to walk by. Wolf spiders venom is not poisonous so they don’t pose a threat to most people, although some can have an allergic reaction to the venom. They may bite if they feel threatened, and their bites can be painful. You may experience swelling and itchiness, but it doesn’t last long.
Common spiders in Texas
With hundreds of species spanning one of the largest states in the U.S., it’s near impossible to know the complete list of which spiders could be found in Texas. It can also be difficult for homeowners to identify common house spiders in Texas and how to handle removing them appropriately. Below are some of the most common species of spiders you’ll find in the Lone Star state.
Spiders taking over Texas town?
FAQ
What is the most common spiders in Texas?
The most common spider species in Texas is the Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis). This spider is often found in and around homes, especially in dark and sheltered areas like attics, basements, and garages.
What spiders are poisonous in Texas?
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- Known for their black, shiny bodies with a red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen.
- Found in protected areas like rocks, logs, and under buildings.
- Only the female is dangerous to humans, and their venom is a neurotoxin that can cause severe systemic reactions.
- Bites are usually painful, but medical attention is often needed.
- Known for their black, shiny bodies with a red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen.
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- Characterized by a violin-shaped marking on their back, hence the nickname “violin spider” or “fiddleback spider”.
- Prefers dark, dry, undisturbed places like attics, basements, and storage areas.
- Their venom can cause tissue damage, sometimes resulting in necrotic lesions.
- They are generally shy and only bite when threatened.
- Bites can be serious and require medical attention.
- Characterized by a violin-shaped marking on their back, hence the nickname “violin spider” or “fiddleback spider”.
How do you identify a house spider in Texas?
- Actual Size: 1″ length, 2″ leg span.
- Characteristics: Gray-brown to dark brown; two dark stripes on the head and thorax.
- Legs: 8.
- Habitat: Usually found in quiet undisturbed areas of gardens, backyards, sheds, homes, attics, and any other man-made structure.
- Habits:
Are spiders a problem in Texas?
There are a number of common house spiders in Texas, and they can find their way into homes in various ways. Some spiders sneak in through small cracks and crevices or even open doors and windows.