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SPIDERS

BLACK WIDOW SPIDER

Scientific Name: Latrodectus

General Size: 1-11/2 inch long (varies)
Look for these Colors: Female black widow spiders are typically black and shiny with a red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen. Males are smaller and lighter in color, often with lighter markings or sometimes none at all.

Not common in Wisconsin

Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus) isolated on a white background.jpg
Image by Timothy Dykes

BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER

Scientific Name: Loxosceles reclusa

General Size: 3/8 inch
Look for these Colors: Typically light to medium brown with a distinct violin-shaped symbol on its back
Venomous bite

Image by Filipe Resmini

CELLAR SPIDER

Scientific Name: Pholcidae

General Size: 1/4-3/8 inch
Look for these Colors: Tan or gray
Typically found in basements or dark, quiet spots

Typically not aggressive

Image by Filipe Resmini
Wolf spider on a log.jpg

WOLF SPIDER

Scientific Name: Family Lycosidae

General Size: 1/4-1 inch
Look for these Colors: Black, gray and brown
Robust and Quick Moving, but typically not aggressive unless provoked

YELLOW GARDEN SPIDER

Scientific Name: Argiope aurantia

General Size: 1/4 inch for males, up to 11/2 inches for females
Look for these Colors: Black and Yellow

 non-venomous to humans, found in gardens

Image by Deeterontop
HL yellow sac spider side.jpg

YELLOW SAC SPIDER

Scientific Name: Cheiracanthium

General Size: 1/4 inch-3/8 inch
Look for these Colors: Typically a pale yellow with some dark markings

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