Pennsylvania, with its diverse geography ranging from the Appalachian Mountains to the Delaware River, hosts a wide variety of spiders. These eight-legged creatures are often misunderstood, but they play a crucial role in the ecosystem, helping to control insect populations. Here’s an exploration of over 10 common spiders found in Pennsylvania, highlighting their characteristics, habits, and the roles they play in the environment.
1. Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans)
- Identification: Recognizable by its black body with a distinctive red hourglass shape on its abdomen.
- Habitat: Found in dark, dry areas such as basements, gardens, and woodpiles.
- Venom: Its venom is neurotoxic and can cause severe pain, but it’s rarely fatal to humans.
2. Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa)
- Identification: Identified by its brown color and distinctive violin-shaped mark on its body.
- Habitat: Prefers dark, undisturbed areas like basements, attics, and closets.
- Venom: Can cause necrotic lesions, but sightings in PA are rare due to its limited geographic range in the U.S.
3. Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)
- Identification: Known for its small size, pale color, and extremely long, thin legs.
- Habitat: Commonly found in basements, crawl spaces, and other damp areas.
- Characteristics: Builds irregular, messy webs and is often mistaken for a daddy long legs due to its appearance.
4. Wolf Spider (Lycosidae family)
- Identification: Large, hairy, and have excellent eyesight. They are often mistaken for tarantulas due to their size and appearance.
- Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, fields, and inside homes.
- Hunting: Actively hunt their prey instead of using webs.
5. Jumping Spider (Salticidae family)
- Identification: Small to medium size, known for their vibrant colors and exceptional jumping ability.
- Habitat: Commonly found on surfaces, especially where insects are present.
- Characteristics: Have excellent eyesight and are known for their curiosity, often approaching humans.
6. Barn Spider (Araneus cavaticus)
- Identification: Medium-sized, with distinctive yellow and brown markings.
- Habitat: Typically found in barns, sheds, and other outbuildings.
- Web: Builds beautiful, symmetrical orb webs.
7. Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus)
- Identification: Medium-sized, known for the white or yellowish markings that form a diagonal or cross-like pattern on its abdomen.
- Habitat: Commonly found in gardens, meadows, and at the edges of woodlands.
- Characteristics: Builds large, impressive orb webs, often with a characteristic “stabilimentum” or zigzag pattern.
8. Daddy Long Legs Spider (Pholcidae family)
- Identification: Recognizable by its extremely long, thin legs and small body.
- Habitat: Found in dark areas, including basements, and under stones or wood.
- Characteristics: Builds messy, irregular webs and has a reputation for having venom, though this is largely a myth.
9. Crab Spider (Thomisidae family)
- Identification: Medium-sized, known for their crab-like sideways movement and ability to change color.
- Habitat: Found on flowers, leaves, and branches where they ambush prey.
- Characteristics: Do not build webs to catch prey but instead use their speed and camouflage.
10. Orb Weaver Spider (Araneidae family)
- Identification: Characterized by the orb-shaped webs they build.
- Habitat: Varied habitats, from forests to backyards.
- Characteristics: Include several species, such as the Barn Spider and Garden Spider, known for their beautiful and intricate webs.
11. House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
- Identification: Small, brown, and often found in corners of rooms.
- Habitat: Commonly found indoors, particularly in undisturbed areas.
- Characteristics: Builds messy, irregular webs that often become dust-covered and conspicuous.
Understanding and appreciating these spiders can enrich one’s perspective on the natural world and highlight the importance of biodiversity within Pennsylvania’s ecosystems. While some species can pose a threat to human health, most spiders are harmless and play a vital role in controlling pest populations, reducing the need for pesticides and maintaining ecological balance.
