Common Spiders of Alabama

Some of the spider species common in Alabama gardens are large and may appear intimidating. Most of the species are shy and go out of their way to avoid confrontations with people, but some may inflict a painful bite if they "feel" they are being attacked. Always seek medical attention if you have a reaction to a spider bite.

Web-weaving spider species build webs to trap their prey, and they wait in or near the webs to kill and eat insects that stray into them. Some web-weaving species spin sticky webs that snare the insects that touch them, and other species build sheetlike webs that simply impede insects long enough for the spiders to attack.

The black and yellow argiope is an orb-weaver spider, so called because of the large circular web that it builds. This spider has a body length of up to 1 inch, and it has bold-yellow markings on its black abdomen. Its web is sticky and oriented vertically, and it's often suspended between shrubs or other garden plants.

Jumping spiders do not build webs but hunt their prey actively in locations such as gardens. Unlike most spiders, they have excellent eyesight, capable of spotting prey several inches away. When they detect prey, they leap at it from a distance. Because of this hunting method, jumping spiders are more active during the day than many other spider species, and they tend to hunt in sunny areas, such as on garden foliage, tree trunks and deck railings.

The bold jumper spider is hairy, measures up to 3/4 inch in body length, is black and often has white, yellow or orange spots on its back and iridescent-green mouth parts. In addition to the sunny spots typically frequented by jumping spiders, bold jumpers may be found under rocks.

Wolf spiders are also hunters. Unlike jumping spiders, though, they typically hunt at night. During the day, they are more likely to hide in burrows, which they construct under rocks and fallen logs, in woodpiles and in other out-of-the-way spots. They are not aggressive and shy away from human activity.

Wolf spiders are some of the largest garden spiders. The female Carolina wolf spider can reach a body length of nearly 1 1/2 inches. Both a female and male Carolina wolf spider is somewhat hairy and dark brown with a darker brown stripe on its back.

Sac spiders do not build webs to hunt, but they construct silk-lined tubes in secluded locations in which they hide during the day. They hunt at night, and, in a garden, they are often found roaming on foliage.

The yellow sac spider has a body length of about 1/4 inch. It is pale yellow or whitish with darker brown jaws. Besides on plant foliage, it may be found beneath fallen leaves and rocks. This spider's bite is sometimes painful, and individuals with a particular sensitivity to its venom may experience a significant reaction to its bite.