Spiders are a common and important part of the ecosystem in Florida, thriving in its warm, humid climate. The combination of subtropical and tropical conditions allows them to remain active for much of the year, unlike in colder regions where activity slows during winter. They can be found in a wide range of habitats, from dense vegetation and wetlands to urban homes and gardens.
These creatures play a crucial role in controlling insect populations. By feeding on flies, mosquitoes, and other small pests, they help maintain a natural balance in both wild and residential environments. This makes them especially beneficial in areas where insects can otherwise become overwhelming due to the climate.
In Florida’s diverse landscapes, spiders occupy many niches. Some prefer ground-level environments like leaf litter, while others build structures between branches, under eaves, or along fences. Indoors, they often settle in quiet corners, basements, or attics where there is less disturbance and a steady supply of prey.
Despite their usefulness, many people feel uneasy around them. However, most spiders in Florida are not harmful to humans and will avoid contact when possible. They typically bite only in self-defense, and encounters are usually the result of accidental disturbance rather than aggression.
The state’s frequent rainfall and lush vegetation create ideal conditions for insect life, which in turn supports large spider populations. Seasonal changes, such as increased rain during certain months, can lead to noticeable increases in spider activity as food becomes more abundant.
Florida Spiders With Pictures
Golden Silk Orb-Weaver (Nephila clavipes)
One of Florida’s most spectacular and easily recognised spiders, the golden silk orb-weaver is named for the striking golden-yellow silk it uses to construct enormous webs that can span several feet between trees.
Females are very large — among the biggest spiders in North America — with elongated yellowish bodies decorated with white spots and tufts of dark hair on the legs. They are found throughout Florida in forests, woodland edges, gardens, and along hiking trails, where their massive, asymmetrical webs are frequently strung between trees and shrubs at head height.
Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)
The southern black widow is Florida’s most notorious spider and one of the few with venom medically significant to humans. The female is glossy black with the unmistakable red hourglass marking on the underside of her rounded abdomen. Males are much smaller and less dangerous.
Black widows are found across the entire state in dark, sheltered, undisturbed locations — woodpiles, outdoor furniture, garages, sheds, under decks, and in dense vegetation. Despite their fearsome reputation they are shy and reclusive, biting only when accidentally pressed against the skin.
Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus)
A close relative of the black widow, the brown widow has become increasingly common across Florida over the past two decades, particularly in urban and suburban areas. It is tan to dark brown with an orange or yellowish hourglass marking and distinctive spiky egg sacs that immediately distinguish it from its black cousin.
Brown widows favour sheltered spots around homes — under outdoor furniture, inside rolled-up umbrellas, in plant pots, and beneath eaves. Though venomous, its bite is generally considered less severe than that of the southern black widow.
Red Widow (Latrodectus bishopi)
The red widow is a strikingly beautiful and rarely encountered spider found almost exclusively in the sand pine scrub habitats of central and southern Florida — making it one of the state’s most range-restricted spiders.
It has a reddish-orange head region and legs, a black abdomen marked with red and yellow spots, and a partial or absent hourglass marking. It builds tangled webs in saw palmetto and scrub vegetation. Because its habitat is endangered and fragmented, the red widow itself is considered a species of conservation concern in Florida.
Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus)
The northern black widow occurs in the northern parts of Florida, generally above the central scrub zones where the red widow is found. It differs from the southern black widow in that the hourglass marking on the abdomen is often broken or incomplete, appearing as two separate red spots rather than a connected shape.
It inhabits similar undisturbed, sheltered environments — forest edges, stone walls, rotting logs, and the dark corners of outbuildings. It is less commonly encountered than the southern black widow but equally venomous.
Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)
The brown recluse is one of the most feared spiders in the United States, though it is far less common in Florida than popular perception suggests. It is a uniformly sandy brown spider with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on the top of the cephalothorax pointing toward the abdomen.
True brown recluse populations in Florida are limited primarily to the northern counties, as the state’s humid subtropical climate is not ideal for the species. They hide in dark, dry, undisturbed locations — inside boxes, clothing, shoes, and wall voids — and bite defensively when trapped against skin.
Florida Recluse (Loxosceles devia / L. rufescens)
Florida hosts several recluse species beyond the true brown recluse, including the Mediterranean recluse (Loxosceles rufescens), which has become established in parts of the state through accidental human introduction. Like the brown recluse, these spiders prefer dark, dry, sheltered environments and are rarely seen.
They are found in buildings, storage areas, and occasionally in natural debris. Their venom has necrotic properties but serious bites are uncommon. Correct identification of recluse species requires examination under magnification, as the species are difficult to tell apart without expert knowledge.
Spiny Orb-Weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)
One of the most distinctive and photogenic spiders in Florida, the spiny orb-weaver is a small, flattened spider with a hard, shell-like abdomen bearing six pointed spines around its edge.
The body is most commonly white with black spots and red spines, though colour variations occur. It builds neat, circular webs in gardens, citrus groves, woodland edges, and shrubby vegetation throughout Florida and is especially abundant in the central and southern parts of the state. The webs often have small tufts of white silk decorating the spokes, which may serve to warn birds away from flying through them.
Crab Spider (Misumena vatia)
The goldenrod crab spider is a sit-and-wait ambush predator that does not build a web, instead lurking motionless on flowers where it waits for pollinating insects to land. Remarkably, females can slowly change their body colour between white and yellow to match the flower they are sitting on, making them effectively invisible to both prey and predators.
They are found throughout Florida in gardens, meadows, and wildflower patches, particularly on goldenrod, daisies, and other open-faced blooms. Despite their small size they are capable of catching prey much larger than themselves, including bees and butterflies.
Jumping Spider — Daring (Phidippus audax)
The daring jumping spider is one of the most charismatic and commonly encountered spiders in Florida. It is a robust, furry black spider with a bold white dot on the abdomen and iridescent green or blue chelicerae that flash in sunlight. Unlike web-building spiders, it hunts actively by stalking prey and making precise, acrobatic leaps.
It is found in gardens, on fences, buildings, tree trunks, and in open grassy areas across the entire state. Its large forward-facing eyes give it exceptional vision, and it has a curious, almost inquisitive manner that makes it endearing to many people who encounter it.
Jumping Spider — Regal (Phidippus regius)
The regal jumping spider is the largest jumping spider in eastern North America and is particularly associated with Florida, where it is widespread and common. Males are striking — velvety black with white spots and patches — while females are grey-orange with similar white patterning.
Both sexes have the characteristic large, forward-facing eyes of jumping spiders, giving them an alert, wide-eyed appearance. They are found on tree trunks, wooden fences, building exteriors, and in open scrub and palmetto habitats. The regal jumping spider is a beloved and frequently photographed species among spider enthusiasts.
Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans)
The green lynx spider is a brilliant lime-green predatory spider that hunts actively on plants without building a web. Its vivid green colouration provides excellent camouflage among foliage, where it ambushes visiting insects with a quick, cat-like pounce — the behaviour that gives lynx spiders their name.
Females guard their egg sacs fiercely and are capable of spitting venom over a short distance as a defence. Found throughout Florida in gardens, fields, and scrubby vegetation, the green lynx spider is a significant predator of crop pests and is considered beneficial to agriculture.
Wolf Spider — Carolina (Hogna carolinensis)
The Carolina wolf spider is one of the largest wolf spiders in North America and a common sight across Florida’s grasslands, scrub, and forest edges. It is a large, robust, brownish-grey spider with a distinctive pale stripe running down the centre of the cephalothorax.
Unlike web-building spiders, wolf spiders are active hunters that chase down prey on the ground at night. Females carry their egg sac attached to their spinnerets and, after hatching, carry the spiderlings on their back for several days. They are commonly found in gardens, open sandy areas, and around the perimeter of buildings.
Wolf Spider — Rabid (Rabidosa rabida)
Despite its alarming common name, the rabid wolf spider poses no significant threat to humans. The name refers to its fast, erratic movements when disturbed rather than any medical danger.
It is a slender, tan spider with dark longitudinal stripes running the length of its body and is one of the most frequently encountered wolf spiders in Florida’s gardens, fields, and woodland edges. It is an active nocturnal hunter and is often attracted to lights at night, where it hunts the insects that gather there.
Nursery Web Spider (Pisaurina mira)
The nursery web spider is a long-legged, agile hunting spider found in vegetation across Florida, particularly in moist areas near water, in tall grass, and in shruby woodland edges.
The female carries her large, spherical egg sac held under her body in her chelicerae until the eggs are ready to hatch, at which point she builds a nursery tent of silk around vegetation and stands guard. The spider is brownish with a pale central stripe and is often seen resting with its front two pairs of legs held together in front, giving it a distinctive posture on plant stems.
Fishing Spider — Dark (Dolomedes tenebrosus)
Fishing spiders are large, impressive spiders associated with aquatic environments, and Florida provides ideal habitat for several species. The dark fishing spider is among the largest, with females reaching considerable size.
It hunts at the waterline and on the surface of still or slow-moving water, detecting vibrations through the water surface to locate prey including aquatic insects, small fish, and tadpoles. It is found along the margins of Florida’s rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, and cypress wetlands. When threatened it can dive beneath the water surface and remain submerged for extended periods.
Fishing Spider — Six-Spotted (Dolomedes triton)
The six-spotted fishing spider is closely associated with aquatic plants in Florida’s freshwater wetlands, ponds, and slow-moving streams. It gets its name from the six spots on the underside of its abdomen. It is an accomplished surface hunter, spreading its legs across the water film to sense the movement of prey both above and below the surface.
It is found throughout the state wherever there is suitable still or slow freshwater with emergent vegetation such as lily pads, pickerelweed, and pondweed, on which it often rests with its front legs touching the water surface.
Banded Garden Spider (Argiope trifasciata)
A close relative of the black-and-yellow garden spider, the banded garden spider is a large, beautiful orb-weaver with a silvery abdomen crossed by narrow yellow and black bands.
It builds large, perfectly circular webs in open grassy areas, garden edges, roadsides, and meadows, typically low to the ground among tall grasses and wildflowers. Like its yellow garden spider cousin, it constructs a zigzag band of dense white silk called a stabilimentum across the centre of its web. Found across Florida, it is most abundant in open, sunny habitats during late summer and autumn.
Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
The black-and-yellow garden spider is one of the most spectacular and familiar orb-weavers in Florida, with a large, distinctive abdomen patterned in bold black and yellow. Females build impressive, large webs in gardens, hedgerows, meadows, and woodland edges, always incorporating the characteristic thick zigzag stabilimentum of white silk across the centre.
The spider sits head-down at the centre of the web waiting for prey. It is found throughout the state in any open sunny location with suitable anchor points for its web. Despite its dramatic appearance it is entirely harmless to humans and highly beneficial as a garden predator.
Long-Jawed Orb-Weaver (Tetragnatha spp.)
Long-jawed orb-weavers are slender, elongated spiders with remarkably long chelicerae and legs that allow them to stretch out along plant stems in a stick-like posture when alarmed, becoming almost invisible. They build small, steeply tilted orb webs in low vegetation near water, and are strongly associated with Florida’s wetlands, swamp margins, stream banks, and lakesides.
Several species occur in Florida, all sharing the same elongated body plan and riparian habitat preference. They are active hunters as well as web builders, and are commonly seen near the water’s edge in marshes and along the banks of the state’s many rivers.
Orchard Orb-Weaver (Leucauge venusta)
The orchard orb-weaver is a small, delicately beautiful spider with a silvery body marked with green and yellow stripes and a distinctive orange or red spot on the underside of the abdomen.
It builds a small, finely constructed, slightly tilted orb web in low vegetation in shaded gardens, orchards, forest understoreys, and along wooded path edges. The spider hangs upside down at the hub of the web. It is widespread and common across Florida in any moist, shaded environment with low shrubby vegetation and is a familiar sight to anyone who looks carefully at bushes and undergrowth.
Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica)
The spitting spider is a slow-moving, humpbacked spider with a domed cephalothorax and long, delicate legs, marked with dark spots on a pale yellowish background. It gets its name from its remarkable hunting technique — rather than building a web or chasing prey, it spits twin streams of sticky, venomous silk from its fangs at speeds too fast for the human eye to follow, pinning prey to a surface before delivering a bite.
It is found in homes, garages, and sheltered outdoor structures across Florida, preferring warm, humid indoor environments where it hunts other small spiders and insects in dark corners.
Cellar Spider — Long-Bodied (Pholcus phalangioides)
The long-bodied cellar spider, often mistakenly called a daddy-long-legs, is a familiar inhabitant of Florida homes, garages, and basements. It has an extremely elongated body and extraordinarily long, fine legs, and builds a loose, messy tangle of silk in the upper corners of rooms and ceilings.
When disturbed, it vibrates rapidly in its web, blurring its outline to confuse predators — a distinctive behaviour that immediately identifies the species. It is an aggressive predator of other spiders, including much larger species, which it wraps in silk before biting through their defences.
Daddy-Long-Legs Spider (Crossopriza lyoni)
Often confused with the cellar spider, this introduced species has become established in parts of Florida, particularly in urban areas. Like the cellar spider it builds a messy tangle web in corners and beneath furniture, and vibrates rapidly when disturbed. It is commonly found in garages, sheds, porches, and the corners of rooms.
Despite the enduring urban myth that it is the world’s most venomous spider, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, and its small chelicerae make it incapable of biting through human skin in any case.
Tarantula — Florida (Aphonopelma hentzi)
Florida’s native tarantula is a large, docile, burrow-dwelling spider found primarily in the scrub and dry upland habitats of north and central Florida. It is a heavy-bodied, brown spider covered in fine hairs that can be flicked as a defence mechanism.
Females rarely leave their burrows and can live for many years — some female tarantulas reach 20 years or more. Males wander in search of mates, particularly in autumn, when they are occasionally encountered crossing roads and paths. Despite their imposing size, Florida tarantulas are reluctant to bite and their venom is of low medical significance to humans.
Grass Spider (Agelenopsis spp.)
Grass spiders build the familiar horizontal, funnel-shaped sheet webs seen in lawns and grassy areas across Florida, particularly in the mornings when dew makes the webs visible. The spider lurks in the narrow funnel tube at one end of the sheet, waiting for insects to stumble onto the flat web surface above.
When prey falls or lands, the spider rushes out and drags it into the funnel. Grass spiders are brown with two dark longitudinal stripes on the cephalothorax and are found throughout the state in lawns, ground cover, shrubs, and at the base of plants.
Hacklemesh Weaver (Callobius spp.)
Hacklemesh weavers build dense, irregular, tangled webs with a funnel retreat, typically in moist, wooded areas under bark, in rock crevices, in leaf litter, and at the base of trees.
They are brown, medium-sized spiders with a robust body and are found across the more heavily wooded areas of northern and central Florida. They are nocturnal hunters that wait in their retreat for prey to stumble into the web. Though not frequently encountered, they are a common component of the spider fauna in Florida’s mesic and hydric hammock forests.
Trapdoor Spider (Ummidia spp.)
Trapdoor spiders are remarkable engineers that construct silk-lined burrows in the ground capped with a tightly fitting hinged door of silk and soil. The spider lurks just behind the closed trapdoor, detecting vibrations from passing prey and flinging the door open to seize victims with lightning speed.
In Florida they are found in dry, sandy, or loamy soils in scrub, pine flatwoods, and upland forest habitats. Though rarely seen due to their secretive lifestyle, their distinctive circular trapdoors can be found in suitable habitat, often in road banks and under the roots of trees.
Six-Eyed Sand Spider (Sicarius spp.)
Closely related to the recluse spiders, six-eyed sand spiders are flat-bodied, crab-like spiders that bury themselves in loose sand with only their eyes exposed, waiting for prey to pass.
They are found in sandy coastal habitats and scrub areas of Florida. Though their venom is considered to be potent, bites are extremely rare due to the spider’s cryptic, sand-burying lifestyle. Their flattened body and spreading legs make them well adapted to their semi-subterranean, ambush-hunting existence in Florida’s extensive sandy habitats.
Pirate Spider (Mimetus spp.)
Pirate spiders are specialist predators that prey almost exclusively on other spiders, particularly web-building species. They enter the webs of their victims and pluck the silk to mimic the vibrations of trapped prey, luring the resident spider within striking distance before delivering a rapid bite.
They are small, inconspicuous spiders found in woodland, scrub, and garden habitats across Florida, usually in the vegetation or leaf litter where web-building spiders are common. Their unusual predatory strategy makes them fascinating components of Florida’s spider fauna despite their modest appearance.
Sac Spider — Yellow (Cheiracanthium inclusum)
Yellow sac spiders are pale yellowish-cream spiders that build small silken tube retreats in curled leaves, under bark, and among vegetation throughout Florida. They are active hunters that roam at night in search of prey, often entering homes where they shelter in the corners of ceilings and walls.
Their bite can produce a painful local reaction with redness and swelling, though serious systemic effects are uncommon. They are among the most commonly encountered spiders inside Florida homes and are frequently responsible for bites attributed to other, more feared species.
Two-Tailed Spider (Tama spp. / Hersilia spp.)
Two-tailed spiders are flat, bark-dwelling spiders with two dramatically elongated spinnerets that extend behind the abdomen like a pair of tails, giving the spider its distinctive common name.
They lie pressed flat against tree bark, where their cryptic colouration and flattened profile make them almost invisible. When prey approaches they move in a rapid circular pattern to entangle it in silk before biting. They are found on the bark of large trees in Florida’s woodland and hammock habitats.
Wandering Spider (Ctenus spp.)
Florida hosts several species of wandering spider in the family Ctenidae, powerful hunting spiders that pursue prey actively on the forest floor and in low vegetation without building a permanent web. They are large, robust, long-legged spiders that bear a superficial resemblance to wolf spiders and are found in Florida’s tropical hammocks, scrub, and moist woodland.
Some South American relatives carry medically significant venom, but Florida’s native ctenids are not considered dangerous. They are most active at night and are commonly found in leaf litter and low vegetation in the southern half of the state.
Magnolia Green Jumping Spider (Lyssomanes viridis)
This exquisite little jumping spider is immediately recognisable by its translucent, vivid green body and huge, forward-facing eyes that give it an almost alien appearance. It is found on the leaves of broadleaf trees and shrubs — particularly magnolias — across Florida’s woodland and forest edges.
Unlike the dense, opaque bodies of most jumping spiders, the magnolia green jumping spider’s abdomen is thin and almost transparent, and its legs are exceptionally long and delicate for a jumping spider. It is one of Florida’s most beautiful spiders and a favourite subject for macro photographers.
Thin-Legged Wolf Spider (Pardosa spp.)
Thin-legged wolf spiders are smaller and more slender than the familiar large wolf spiders, but share the same active hunting lifestyle and the female’s habit of carrying her egg sac and young.
They are found in a wide range of open and semi-open habitats across Florida, including beaches, wetland margins, grasslands, and garden beds. They are fast-moving, brown spiders that hunt on the ground during the day, often seen scurrying across bare soil or leaf litter. Several species occur in Florida, and they are among the most abundant ground-dwelling spiders in the state.
Ant-Mimicking Spider (Castianeira spp.)
Ant-mimicking spiders bear a striking resemblance to ants, with a narrow waist, ant-like markings, and the habit of raising their front legs to mimic antennae as they walk.
This mimicry provides protection from predators that avoid the biting and stinging abilities of ants. They are found in leaf litter, under bark, and in low vegetation across Florida, particularly in areas where ants are abundant. Several species occur in the state, all sharing the same convincing ant-like appearance and behaviour. They are active hunters rather than web-builders.
Spiny-Backed Orb-Weaver — Crablike (Gasteracantha spp.)
Related to the common spiny orb-weaver, Florida hosts additional spiny-backed species with variations in spine colour and body patterning. These small, hard-bodied spiders build beautiful, neat orb webs in woodland edges, citrus groves, and gardens. The hard, spine-bearing abdomen is thought to deter predators from swallowing the spider.
Their webs are frequently decorated with small silk tufts. They are common across the central and southern parts of the state and are a characteristic component of Florida’s subtropical spider fauna.
Spotted Ground Swift Spider (Sergiolus spp.)
These small, ground-dwelling hunters have boldly contrasting black-and-white or black-and-orange patterning that may mimic the appearance of mutillid wasps — the velvet ants — as a defence against predation.
They run swiftly across the ground and are found in sandy, open habitats, scrub, and pine flatwoods across Florida. They hunt insects on the ground and under bark without building a web, relying on speed and agility to catch prey. Their bold colouration makes them distinctive despite their small size.
Thorn Spider (Micrathena sagittata)
The arrow-shaped micrathena, or thorn spider, is a small orb-weaver with a dramatically spiky, arrow-shaped abdomen bearing two large, pointed lateral spines at the rear. The abdomen is red and black or yellow and black, making it visually striking.
It builds small, precisely constructed orb webs at low to medium height in forested areas, woodland understoreys, and along shaded hiking trails across northern and central Florida. The spider sits at the hub of its web and is frequently encountered by walkers who brush against the nearly invisible silk in shaded forest paths.
Six-Spotted Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton)
Found extensively in Florida’s freshwater wetlands and the margins of ponds, lakes, and slow rivers, the six-spotted fishing spider is a large, semi-aquatic species capable of running across the water surface using surface tension.
Its grey-brown body is streaked with pale lateral lines, and the six spots on the underside give it its name. It detects prey both in and on the water by sensing vibrations through its outstretched front legs. Females build a nursery web among emergent aquatic plants and guard the egg sac until the spiderlings disperse.
Crevice Weaver (Kukulcania hibernalis)
The southern house spider, or crevice weaver, is a common inhabitant of Florida’s buildings and outdoor structures. Males are long-legged and brown with an elongated body that causes them to be frequently mistaken for brown recluses.
Females are darker and stout-bodied. They build flat, dense silk retreats in cracks, crevices, window frames, and behind shutters, with trip lines radiating outward to catch passing insects. Found throughout the state, they are among the most abundant spiders in and around Florida’s older buildings and wooden structures.
Cobweb Spider — Common House (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
The common house spider is arguably the most frequently encountered spider in Florida homes. It builds messy, irregular cobwebs in the upper corners of rooms, beneath furniture, in garages, and under eaves, where it waits in a small retreat for insects to become tangled. It is a small, brownish spider with a rounded abdomen marked with a pattern of white, grey, and dark brown.
It is found throughout the entire state and throughout the world, having spread globally with human commerce. Despite its abundance it is entirely harmless and consumes large numbers of domestic pest insects.
Triangulate Cobweb Spider (Steatoda triangulosa)
A small, distinctive cobweb spider with a dark, reddish-brown abdomen marked with cream-coloured triangles and zigzag lines. It builds messy tangle webs in the corners of buildings, under furniture, and in other sheltered indoor and outdoor locations. Unlike some of its relatives, it is not medically significant to humans.
Found throughout Florida in homes, garages, and outbuildings, it is an abundant and largely overlooked component of Florida’s domestic spider fauna, feeding on a variety of small insects and other invertebrates that wander into its web.
False Black Widow (Steatoda grossa)
The false black widow bears enough resemblance to the southern black widow to cause alarm but lacks the distinctive red hourglass and has a darker, more purplish-brown colouration. Its venom can cause local pain and discomfort — a condition sometimes called steatodism — but is not considered medically serious.
It builds tangle webs in sheltered locations around buildings, in garages, under decks, and in basements. Found throughout Florida, particularly in urban and suburban areas, it is frequently misidentified as a black widow and causes unnecessary concern.
Daddy-Long-Legs Harvestman (Leiobunum spp.)
Strictly speaking not a true spider — harvestmen are arachnids in the order Opiliones with no silk glands and a fused body rather than the two-part structure of spiders — but they are frequently counted among Florida’s spider fauna in popular accounts. They have extraordinarily long, fragile legs and a small, rounded body, and are found in woodland, gardens, and around buildings throughout Florida.
They are scavengers and omnivores rather than predators. They are entirely harmless and often gather in large aggregations on tree trunks, building walls, and in leaf litter.
Bronze Jumping Spider (Eris militaris)
A sleek, medium-sized jumping spider with an iridescent bronze and white patterning, the bronze jumping spider is an active daytime predator found on wooden fences, tree trunks, building exteriors, and in open scrubby vegetation across Florida. Like all jumping spiders it has excellent forward-facing vision and hunts by stalking prey carefully before pouncing.
Its metallic colouration catches the light beautifully, making it one of the more photogenic of Florida’s many jumping spider species. It is common throughout the state in open, sunny habitats.
Tuft-Legged Orb-Weaver (Mangora spp.)
A small, delicately patterned orb-weaver that builds neat, small webs in low grassy vegetation, garden borders, and among wildflowers and herbaceous plants across Florida.
The spider has a pale greenish-white abdomen with dark markings and rests at the hub of its web. Several species occur in Florida, and they are most commonly encountered in meadows, grasslands, and garden edges where low-growing vegetation provides suitable web sites. Though small, their webs are precisely constructed and highly effective at catching small flying insects.
Platform Spider (Frontinella pyramitela)
The bowl and doily spider, as it is also known, builds one of the most architecturally distinctive webs of any Florida spider — a domed, bowl-shaped sheet of silk above a flat, doily-like sheet, with tangle threads above and below to knock insects into the bowl.
The spider hangs upside down beneath the dome waiting for prey to fall in. Found in shrubby vegetation, low trees, and undergrowth across northern and central Florida, it prefers moist, shaded habitats such as forest edges, stream banks, and hedgerows.
Hammock Spider (Pityohyphantes spp.)
Hammock spiders build horizontal sheet webs — the sheet strung between vegetation like a miniature hammock — with tangle threads above to knock flying insects down onto the sheet. The spider waits beneath the sheet for prey. They are found in the understorey of Florida’s woodland, hammock, and scrub habitats, typically in shaded areas with dense, low vegetation.
Several species occur in Florida, all relatively small, brown spiders with patterns on the abdomen. They are most commonly encountered in the more heavily wooded habitats of northern and central Florida.
Spitting Spider — Tropical (Scytodes fusca)
A tropical relative of the common spitting spider, this species is found in the warmer parts of Florida, particularly in the southern peninsula and the Keys. Like its temperate relative, it hunts using the remarkable technique of spitting streams of sticky, venomous silk to pin prey in place.
It is found in humid, sheltered environments — under bark, in bromeliads, in moist leaf litter, and in the corners of buildings. Its spotted appearance makes it distinctive, though it is rarely seen due to its slow-moving, cryptic lifestyle.
Metallic Green Jumping Spider (Sassacus papenhoei)
A tiny, jewel-like jumping spider with a metallic green iridescent sheen, particularly on the chelicerae and the front of the cephalothorax. It is found on tree trunks, fence posts, and in open scrubby vegetation across Florida, where its small size and agility make it easily overlooked.
Like all jumping spiders it is an active daytime hunter with excellent vision, stalking small insects on bark and foliage. Its brilliant colouration makes it one of the most visually striking of Florida’s small jumping spiders when seen up close.
Tropical Orb-Weaver (Eriophora ravilla)
A large, nocturnal orb-weaver common across the southern half of Florida and the Keys, the tropical orb-weaver builds an enormous web at night — sometimes spanning several feet — and then dismantles it before dawn, leaving little trace of its presence. It is a large, chunky spider with a variable brownish or greyish abdomen bearing angular dark markings.
Found in gardens, forests, and urban greenspaces, it is frequently encountered at night when it sits at the centre of its web but rarely seen during the day when it retreats to a hidden shelter. It is particularly abundant in subtropical south Florida.
Columbian Ground Spider (Sergiolus capulatus)
A boldly patterned ground-dwelling hunter with striking black and orange-red banding on the abdomen that provides effective warning colouration. It hunts actively in leaf litter and under debris in woodlands, scrub, and pine flatwoods across Florida. Despite its striking appearance it is harmless to humans and feeds primarily on other small invertebrates.
Its conspicuous markings may mimic the warning patterns of mutillid wasps, providing protection from visual predators. It is most commonly found in the drier, sandier habitats of the central and northern parts of the state.
Starbellied Orb-Weaver (Acanthepeira stellata)
The starbellied orb-weaver is immediately recognisable by its remarkably sculptured abdomen, which bears a ring of pointed tubercles around the edge giving it a star-like or crown-like profile. The abdomen is brown with cream and dark markings. It builds medium-sized orb webs in shrubs, briars, and field margins across Florida, typically in sunny to partly shaded locations.
The spider sits at the hub of its web or in a nearby retreat. It is most commonly found in old fields, scrubby edges, and disturbed habitats with dense herbaceous and shrubby vegetation.
Spotted Orb-Weaver (Neoscona crucifera)
A large, handsome orb-weaver with a richly patterned orange-brown to reddish abdomen bearing a distinctive folium pattern of dark lines. It is a common nocturnal web-builder across Florida, constructing large orb webs at dusk in gardens, forest edges, porches, and around outdoor lighting.
During the day it hides in a curled leaf retreat at the edge of the web. It is one of the most frequently encountered large orb-weavers in Florida during late summer and autumn and is completely harmless to humans.
Arabesque Orb-Weaver (Neoscona arabesca)
A close relative of the spotted orb-weaver, the arabesque orb-weaver is similar in size and habits but has a more intricately patterned abdomen with fine, lace-like markings. It builds nocturnal orb webs in similar habitats — gardens, woodland edges, field margins, and around buildings — and retreats to a leaf shelter during the day.
Found throughout Florida, it is most active in late summer and autumn when adults reach maturity. Like all neoscona species it is a beneficial garden predator that is entirely safe around humans.
Hentz’s Orb-Weaver (Neoscona hentzi)
Named in honour of the pioneering American arachnologist Nicholas Hentz, this orb-weaver is one of several closely related Neoscona species found in Florida. It is brown with a pale, folium-patterned abdomen and builds medium-sized nocturnal webs in woody vegetation, forest understoreys, and garden shrubs.
Like its relatives, it is primarily active at night and hides in a retreat during daylight hours. It is most commonly found in the wooded parts of northern and central Florida and is one of several orb-weavers that can be difficult to identify to species without close examination.
Humpbacked Orb-Weaver (Eustala spp.)
Humpbacked orb-weavers are cryptically coloured, bark-like spiders with a distinctive humped or angular abdomen profile that makes them remarkably difficult to spot when resting pressed against tree bark.
They build nocturnal orb webs and spend the day camouflaged on the bark of trees. Found in woodland and forest habitats across Florida, they are rarely noticed despite being relatively common. Several species occur in the state, all sharing the same bark-mimicking colouration and the habit of resting motionless against tree surfaces during the day.
Venusta Orchard Spider (Leucauge venusta)
Already mentioned above, the venusta orchard spider deserves particular note for its brilliantly iridescent appearance — in certain lighting conditions the abdomen shimmers with metallic silver, green, and gold highlights that make it one of the most visually spectacular small spiders in Florida.
It is found in moist, shaded gardens, forest edges, and riparian vegetation throughout the state, building its small, tilted orb webs among low shrubs and herbaceous plants. It is one of the first spiders to catch the eye of anyone who takes the time to look closely at the vegetation in moist, shaded Florida gardens.
Running Crab Spider (Philodromus spp.)
Running crab spiders are flattened, fast-moving spiders that hold their legs out to the sides in a crab-like posture and move rapidly sideways and backwards across bark, leaves, and foliage.
Unlike the sit-and-wait flower crab spiders, they are active hunters that pursue prey over leaf and bark surfaces. Found in a wide range of habitats across Florida — woodland, scrub, gardens, and mangroves — they are cryptically coloured to match their resting substrate and are easily overlooked. Several species occur in Florida, varying in colouration from grey-bark to pale leaf-green.
Flat-Bellied Ground Spider (Gnaphosa spp.)
Ground spiders in the family Gnaphosidae are a diverse and abundant component of Florida’s spider fauna, found in leaf litter, under rocks and bark, and in soil throughout the state.
They are active nocturnal hunters that move rapidly across the ground in search of prey without building a web. Most are brown or grey and nondescript in appearance, making identification to species level difficult. Flat-bellied ground spiders are particularly common in pine flatwoods, scrub, and dry, open habitats where they shelter under loose bark and debris during the day.
Feather-Legged Spider (Uloborus glomosus)
The feather-legged spider is a small, cryptic orb-weaver with tufts of feathery hairs on the front legs and a rough, irregular abdomen. It builds a horizontal orb web, unusual among orb-weavers, and is one of the few spiders in the world that does not produce venom — it relies entirely on silk to subdue prey.
Found in gardens, forest edges, and scrubby vegetation across Florida, it is most easily noticed by its distinctive resting posture in the web and by the unusual horizontal orientation of its orb. It is completely harmless to humans.
Striped Lynx Spider (Oxyopes salticus)
The striped lynx spider is a slender, long-legged hunter with distinctive dark stripes on the cephalothorax and a cream abdomen bearing dark chevrons. It does not build a web but hunts actively on foliage and flowering plants, using its excellent vision and agile leaping ability to catch insects.
Found in grasslands, meadows, field crops, and garden borders throughout Florida, it is an important predator of agricultural pest insects. Females guard their egg sacs attached to plant stems, standing over them in a protective posture until the eggs hatch.
Thin-Spined Orb-Weaver (Micrathena gracilis)
The spined micrathena is a small but dramatically spiky orb-weaver with a elongated abdomen bearing five pairs of pointed spines along its length, making it one of the most unmistakable spiders in Florida’s woodland habitats.
It is black and white or cream with dark markings. It builds a small, neat orb web in the forest understorey and along shaded hiking trails across northern and central Florida, always in shaded locations. Like the arrow-shaped micrathena, its webs are frequently strung at face height across forest paths, where the nearly invisible silk catches unsuspecting walkers.
Jumping Spider — Bold (Phidippus clarus)
A medium-sized jumping spider with a complex pattern of orange-red and white markings on the abdomen and the typical bold, forward-facing eyes of the Phidippus genus. It is found in open grassy and herbaceous habitats across Florida — meadows, old fields, garden borders, and roadsides — where it hunts on tall grasses and wildflowers.
Like its larger relatives the daring and regal jumping spiders, it is an active daytime predator with excellent vision, and is entirely harmless to humans. It is most commonly encountered during late summer and autumn in open, sunny vegetation.
Mabel Orchard Orb-Weaver (Leucauge mabelae)
A tropical relative of the orchard orb-weaver found primarily in the southern half of Florida, particularly in subtropical hammocks and the Florida Keys. Like the venusta species it builds small, tilted orb webs in low to medium-height vegetation in shaded to partly shaded environments.
Its abdomen has similar silvery and green iridescence with additional yellow and orange tones. The subtropical forests and hammocks of south Florida provide ideal habitat for this and several other Leucauge species that reach their northern range limit in the state.
Daddy-Long-Legs Spider — Short-Bodied (Pholcophora americana)
A small, compact relative of the long-bodied cellar spider with a shorter, rounder body but the same extraordinarily long legs. It is found in leaf litter, under bark, and in rock crevices in wooded areas across Florida, as well as occasionally in buildings. Like its longer-bodied relative it vibrates rapidly in its web when disturbed.
It is a common but rarely noticed component of Florida’s forest floor spider fauna, building small, irregular tangle webs under bark and in sheltered natural cavities.
Key Largo Cotton Spider (Trechalea gertschi)
A large, riparian hunting spider found in the extreme south of Florida, including the Florida Keys and the edges of the Everglades. It is associated with permanently wet habitats — stream banks, swamp margins, and the edges of freshwater bodies in tropical hammock environments.
It hunts on the ground and in low vegetation near water and is a member of a primarily tropical American family. Its occurrence in Florida reflects the state’s position as a biogeographic transition zone between the temperate North American fauna and the Neotropical fauna of the Caribbean and Central America.
Bromeliad Spider (Psecas spp.)
Florida’s extensive wild bromeliads — particularly the native wild pine (Tillandsia species) — support a specialised community of spiders that live in and around the water-filled leaf axils. Several jumping spider species in Florida are closely associated with bromeliads, hunting on the leaf surfaces and sheltering in the tight leaf bases.
In south Florida and the Keys, bromeliads in native hammock and pine flatwoods habitats provide important microhabitats for a diverse array of small invertebrates including several spider species found nowhere else in the continental United States.
Pantropical Jumping Spider (Plexippus paykulli)
An introduced species from the Old World tropics that has become thoroughly established across Florida, particularly in urban and suburban areas. It is a large, robust jumping spider with striking black-and-white markings including a broad white median stripe on the abdomen. It is commonly found on the exterior walls of buildings, on fences, and in gardens throughout the state.
Despite being non-native, it has integrated into Florida’s urban spider fauna and is a familiar sight to residents of the southern half of the state. It is harmless and an effective predator of domestic pest insects.
Two-Spotted Crab Spider (Xysticus spp.)
Ground crab spiders in the genus Xysticus are found in leaf litter, on low vegetation, and on the ground in woodland and scrub habitats across Florida. They are stout, brown to grey spiders with crab-like leg posture and cryptic markings that blend with bark, dead leaves, and soil.
Unlike flower crab spiders, they hunt primarily on the ground and in low vegetation rather than on flowers. Several species occur in Florida, and they are active hunters that ambush small insects on the soil surface and in ground cover vegetation.
Mangrove Spider (Desis spp.)
Mangrove spiders are specialised intertidal spiders that live in Florida’s extensive mangrove forests, sheltering in air pockets within barnacle shells, crevices in mangrove bark, and among algae and debris in the intertidal zone.
They are active hunters that forage across the mangrove surface and retreat to their air-filled shelters as the tide rises, trapping a bubble of air to breathe underwater. Found in the mangrove-fringed coastlines of the southern half of Florida, they represent a remarkable adaptation to life at the interface between terrestrial and marine environments.
Cactus Jumping Spider (Phidippus spp. — xeric forms*)
In Florida’s dry, open xeric scrub habitats — particularly on the ancient dune ridges of the central Florida highlands — several jumping spider species are associated with scrub vegetation including prickly pear cactus, scrub oak, and sand pine.
These spiders hunt on the surface of cactus pads and among the coarse, sun-baked vegetation of Florida’s most endangered natural community. The Florida scrub is a globally rare habitat supporting several endemic or near-endemic arthropod species, and its spider fauna is less well studied than that of more accessible habitats.
Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenicus)
The zebra jumping spider is a small, boldly striped black-and-white jumping spider that is one of the most frequently encountered spiders on the exterior walls of buildings throughout Florida. It is an introduced species of European origin that has spread throughout North America and is now thoroughly cosmopolitan.
It hunts on sunny walls, fences, and rock surfaces, using its acute vision to stalk and pounce on small flies and other insects. Its bold pattern and alert behaviour make it instantly recognisable, and its habit of turning to face and apparently study observers makes it a perennial favourite among those interested in spiders.