What Kind of Spiders Are Found in Florida & Are They Common?

Southern House Spider

• The southern house spider (Kukulcania hibernalis) is common throughout Florida. This spider is relatively large and conspicuous, and it spins a distinctive flat and tangled web. Because of its shape and color, the southern house spider is often mistaken for the brown recluse spider. Females are charcoal gray and larger than the male. Males are khaki to amber in color, with a brown stripe from behind the eye prominence.

Golden Silk Spider

• The golden silk spider (Nephila clavipes) is also found throughout Florida. Females are distinctively colored in orange and brown, with dark spots on both sides of the head and thorax, and white spots marking the abdomen. Orange and black bands cover the legs, with black tufts of hair on the first and last pair of legs. The female is one of the largest orb-weaving spiders in the United States, and she can be more than six times the size of the male. Males, which are dark brown, are often found in the golden-colored web of the female.

Spiny Orb Weaver

• Florida's most colorful and most easily recognized spider is the spiny orb weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis), according to the University of Florida website. White and black spots are on the back of the abdomen, and on the margin are large red spines. The familiar, flat circular webs are produced by this spider. Webs usually contain tufts of silk.

Green Lynx Spider

• Green lynx spiders (Peucetia viridans) are usually found on foliage and shrubs, but they do not spin a web. Both females and males have vividly colored, nearly transparent green bodies covered with red spots and white markings. Green lynx spiders have good eyesight, and they hunt and stalk during the day.

Jumping Spiders

• Jumping spiders, members of the family Salticidae and sometimes referred to as salticids, also do not spin webs. All species are small. Like the green lynx, these hunt during the day. Many jumping spiders are brightly colored, with a distinctive eye arrangement of three rows, making them easy to identification.

Other Common Spiders

• Other spiders common to Florida include the crab spider, wolf spider, long-jawed orb weaver, and the black and yellow argiope. Crab spiders hold their legs in a crablike fashion. Wolf spiders usually remain on the ground, while some hide under debris or burrow underground. Crab spiders and wolf spiders do not spin webs. Long-jawed orb weavers hang on to support with their third pair of legs. Usually found around foliage near water, they spin small webs. Black and yellow argiope spiders are usually found along woodland edges, where they spin large, obvious webs.