Bold jumping spider Order: Araneae: Family: Salticidae Genus and species: Phidippus audax (Hentz) The jumping spiders, Family Salticidae, are bold daytime hunters with acute vision. They are robust and hairy, and they have a distinctive eye arrangement. The front row...

Agrarian sac spider Order: Araneae Family: Clubionidae Genus and species: Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz)   Sac spiders are the probable cause of more spider bites than any other kind of spider, and their bites are probably often misdiagnosed as brown recluse...

Dark fishing spider Order: Araneae Family: Pisauridae Genus and species: Dolomedes tenebrosus Hentz When the dark fishing spider shows up in Arkansas homes, it can cause much excitement. The large female has a body (cephalothorax and abdomen) that reaches about 1”...

Yellow garden spider Order: Araneae Family: Araneidae Genus and species: Argiope aurantia Lucas This is a brightly colored and conspicuous species frequently observed in open, sunny areas, especially in late summer and early fall. Female yellow garden spiders can...

Spined micrathena Order: Araneae Family: Araneidae Genus and species: Micrathena gracilis (Walckenaer) The dark-spotted, whitish abdomen surrounded by 5 pairs of black-tipped spines distinguishes the female of this common woodland spider. As in other Micrantha...

Hentz's orbweaver Order: Araneae Family: Araneidae Genus and species: Neoscona crucifera (Lucas) In late summer and early autumn, after the severe heat of summer and before the leaves of trees begin to turn color, Hentz’s orbweaver spiders become conspicuous elements...

Lichenmarked orbweaver Order: Araneae Family: Araneidae Genus and species: Araneus bicentenarius (McCook) The orbweavers are spiders of the large family Araneidae. They are sedentary spiders readily recognized by their somewhat circular, spiral, wheel-shaped, silken...

Triangulate cobweb spider Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Genus and species: Steatoda triangulosa (Walckenaer) This small household spider is easily overlooked as it weaves cobwebs in the dark corners of houses, basements, and outbuildings. The body is only about...

Southern and northern black widow spiders Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Genus and species: Latrodectus mactans (F) and L. variolus Walckenaer Black widows can be found throughout Arkansas. The body of the female is usually shiny and black and can be up to 1½”...

Common house spider Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Genus and species: Achaearanea tepidariorum (C. L. Koch) This very common household spider would be inconspicuous if it were not for its persistent and unseemly webs. Many of the dusty cobwebs hanging from corners...