Table of Contents
Magnolia Green Jumper
The magnolia green jumper, one of the jumping spiders, thrives in various parts of Louisiana, particularly in areas with magnolia trees. Adult females can grow up to 8 millimeters, displaying a variety of colors such as yellow, red, orange, and translucent green, adorned with dark spots on their heads and abdomen. These spiders, with their long legs, excel at hunting prey in their habitat. Fortunately, their bites pose no threat to humans.
Green Lynx Spider
In Louisiana, the green lynx spider, one of the largest spiders in the region, captivates with its distinctive features. Females can reach up to 22 millimeters, displaying red markings between their eyes and red spots on their bodies. Their body color varies, including shades of yellow and lime green. While not a threat to humans due to their size, their bites can be painful and carry a risk of infection due to a high bacterial count.
Tigrosa Georgicola
Tigrosa Georgicola, a wolf spider species, is another common inhabitant of Louisiana. Ranging in colors of orange and brown, these spiders, with unique abdomens, are fierce hunters found in woodlands, forests, and grasslands. Despite their formidable nature, their bites in humans are mild, causing no severe side effects.
Red-Femured Orb Weaver
The red-femured orb weaver, also known as the spotted orb weaver spider, is a common arachnid in Louisiana, often residing in buildings and areas with crevices. With a vertically oriented web of around twenty inches in diameter, these spiders play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, including mosquitoes, flies, and moths. Recognizable by their red femur segment, they contribute to the ecological balance of the area.
White-Banded Fishing Spider
Southern Black Widow
The southern black widow is a formidable spider found in Louisiana, particularly in grassland and forested areas. Females, reaching up to 13 millimeters, display a distinctive red hourglass-shaped marking on their abdomen, a warning sign for potential danger. It’s crucial to be cautious, as their bites can result in fatalities, affecting the central nervous system and causing difficulties in breathing, blurred vision, severe infections, and, in extreme cases, fatalities. Notably, these spiders are known for cannibalizing their males after copulation.
Southern House Spider
In various parts of Louisiana, the southern house spider thrives, often mistaken for brown recluses due to similar markings. As members of the crevice weaver family, these spiders, with females growing up to 18 millimeters and males up to 12 millimeters, can be found in residential areas. Distinguished by their lack of a violin-shaped marking, they build radial-style webs, showcasing their impressive hunting skills.
Long-Palped Ant Mimic Sac Spider
The long-palped ant mimic sac spider, prevalent in Louisiana, mimics the appearance of ants by utilizing its front legs like antennae. Belonging to the sac spider family, these spiders, with adult females growing up to 13 millimeters and males up to 6 millimeters, have a black abdomen with four or more white lateral stripes. Thriving in various parts of the state, they employ ambush tactics to capture their prey.
Tropical Orb Weaver
Found in different habitats in Louisiana, the tropical orb weaver, classified as a member of the orb weaver family, reaches lengths of up to 25 millimeters for females. While their bites are generally harmless due to their size, they can introduce dangerous bacteria, potentially leading to infections. Sporting dull brown markings or yellowish-green diamond-shaped markings on their abdomen, these spiders contribute to the diverse arachnid population in the region.
Brown Spitting Spider
