There are 27 unique species of spiders found in Arizona. It will help if you get to know about common Arizona spiders. But three species of poisonous spiders live in the Arizona desert: the black widow, the brown recluse, and the funnel-web spider.
The Arizona desert is a warm and hospitable place for spiders. Many different spiders can be found here, including some uncommon or even rare in other parts of the country. It can be difficult to pinpoint specific parts of the state for certain species because they often hitch a ride on other living things.
Continue reading to find out more about the spiders of Arizona.
15 Common Arizona spiders.
There are many different types of spiders in Arizona. The most common are the following:
Arizona Brown Spider
The Arizona Brown Spider is a species of spider found in Arizona. They are also known as the “Loxosceles arizonica.” These spiders are similar in size and shape to the Brown Recluse spider, and they have brown coloring.
They can be distinguished from other spiders by their head’s violin-shaped marking. These spiders live for about 1 to 2 years.
The Arizona brown spider is one of the most venomous spiders in North America. These spiders are about 1 to 1.5 inches long and have a reddish-brown color with a pale stripe on their back. They live in areas with many soft insects, such as under bark or in piles of rocks.
Brown Recluse Spider Species (Venom)
The Brown Recluse Spider is a venomous spider found in the United States. This spider is usually identified by its violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax, and it has a pale yellow to cream color with a dark brown violin on its back.
The Brown Recluse Spider’s diet consists mainly of insects. This spider is considered dangerous to humans and should be avoided. It is about ¼ to 3/4 inch long and has a violin-shaped marking on its back.
This spider is usually found in the dark, secluded areas such as closets, garages, and attics.
Green spiders in Most Arizona homes – Green Lynx Spider
The green lynx spider is another common spider found in Arizona. It has a green body with black stripes and is often mistaken for a venomous brown recluse spider. The green lynx spider is not considered dangerous to humans, but it can bite if threatened.
They are typically light green or yellow, with females having some red markings on their bodies. They have six chevron markings on their abdomen, with the points facing forward. They also have white hairs around their eyes.
They are typically green but can change color to pale yellow with red streaks as they mature. The color change can take up to two weeks and usually happens during the development of the female spider.
Carolina Wolf Spiders
The Carolina Wolf Spider is a species of wolf spider found in the United States. They are typically brown or gray and have a characteristic stripe on their backs. They live for 1 to 2 years and are not venomous to humans.
The Carolina wolf spider is a large, hairy spider ranging from 18 to 35 mm. This species is carnivorous and feeds primarily on insects and other small invertebrates.
Beach Wolf AZ Spiders
The Beach Wolf Spider is a common spider found in Arizona. They are typically brown or black and have hairy legs. They live near the water and build their webs close to the ground.
The beach wolf spider is a medium-sized, brown spider found near the water. They are not venomous to humans, but they will bite if provoked. These spiders can live for 1 to 4 years.
They get their name from their preference for living near the beach, but they can be found in many different habitats. These spiders are generalist predators and eat a variety of insects.
White spiders in Arizona – White-Banded Crab Spider
The white-banded crab spider is a common spider found in Arizona. It has the scientific name Misumenoides formosipes. It is also known as the white-banded crab spider. Females are larger than males, and they have a rounded triangular shape in their posteriors.
They are identifiable by the white line running through their eyes, and the males have darker front legs than the females and a golden abdomen.
Sun Spider (Camel Spider)
The sun spider, also known as the camel spider, is a tan-colored spider that hunts primarily at night. They have a dark abdomen and are typically about 2 inches long. Sun spiders can be found in deserts and other arid environments.
Though they may look intimidating, sun spiders are harmless to humans. They mainly feed on insects and other spiders, but they have also been known to eat small lizards and snakes.
Jumping Spiders
Jumping spiders are a type of spider that is found throughout Arizona. They are named for their ability to jump, which they use to catch prey. They can jump as much as 25 times their size.
Jumping spiders are so-named because they are capable of jumping great distances. They get their characteristic ‘jumping’ ability from their powerful hind legs, which allow them to propel themselves into the air and onto prey. As you can imagine, they are very capable predators.
Western Spotted Orb-weaver (European Garden Spiders in Arizona)
The Western Spotted Orb-weaver is a common spider found in Arizona. They spin circular webs to catch their prey, which typically consists of insects. Instead of actively hunting, they prefer to ambush their unsuspecting prey within their webs.
They are easily identified by their bright colors, spiny legs, and large abdomen. In addition, they rarely bite people and therefore are not considered dangerous.
Black widow spider in Arizona
The black widow spider is a venomous spider that is found in Arizona. They are typically dark in color and have a red hourglass shape on their abdomen. They are one of the most poisonous spiders in North America and can live for up to 3 years.
Its shiny black body can identify it with a red hourglass shape on the underside of its abdomen. These spiders usually have an adult size of 3–13 mm and feed on mosquitoes, ants, flies, and other insects.
Giant house spider in Phoenix Arizona
House spiders, also known as giant house spiders, are the most commonly found spiders in Arizona. They are large and less dangerous than other types of spiders. The Arizona house spiders prefer to live in older buildings with vulnerabilities such as cracks and crevices.
The Giant House Spider are common spiders in Phoenix area households. Though they may look intimidating, Giant house spiders found in Arizona only bite humans on occasion and are not considered dangerous.
American Grass Spiders in Arizona
Grass spiders are one of the most common spiders in Arizona. They have long, thin legs and a brown and white body. They build their webs in tall grasses and bushes and wait for prey to get caught in them.
They make their homes underground and spin funnel-like webs to capture insects. Grass spiders are harmless to humans and pets, so there is no need to fear them.
Daddy long legs Arizona (Map Cellar Spiders/ Marbled Cellar Spiders)
Daddy long legs spiders are common in Arizona and can be found throughout the state. They are typically found near water sources and can be identified by their very long legs.
These spiders are generally harmless but don’t touch them because their venom can cause skin irritation. Daddy long legs spiders live for about a year and typically build webs in dark, secluded areas.
Daddy long legs spiders are opportunistic feeders, meaning they’ll eat whatever is available. They’re mostly predators, but they’ll also scavenge on dead insects or other small prey. Adult daddy long legs spiders measure about 6 to 7 inches in length.
Huntsman spider Arizona
The huntsman spider is a common, nonvenomous spiders in Phonex, Arizona. These spiders can grow up to 2 to 2.25 inches and are typically light brown or tan. This spider’s diet consists of insects, and they are typically docile.
The only time these spiders will bite is if they feel threatened. They are large and can be easily identified by their long legs.
Western Desert Tarantulas in Arizona
The Western Desert Tarantula is the most common in Arizona. They are typically found in the desert areas of the state. These spiders can live up to 10 to 12 years and are not considered dangerous to humans.
They reside in deserts and grasslands, where they feed primarily on grasshoppers and beetles. Adult Western Desert Tarantulas measure 3 to 4 inches long, making them relatively large spiders.
Though they may look intimidating, the Western Desert Tarantula is not as harmful to humans as one might think. These spiders have venom, but it is unlikely to be more harmful to humans than a bee sting. Venom is not likely to be dangerous for humans at all.
Conclusion
There are a variety of spiders found in Arizona, but only three species- the Arizona Brown Spider, Black Widow, and Brown Recluse- are venomous. The majority of spiders in the state aren’t harmful to humans. However, if another spider species bites you, you may experience pain and swelling.