Spiders of the Midwest

Spiders of the Midwest

Larinioides sp. (Araneidae)

Spiders are amazing little critters that are often misunderstood. Many people react to spiders with repulsion, running for the nearest shoe to swat the animal with. This is quite unfortunate, as spiders are important natural enemies of pest insects and the vast majority of spiders are harmless to humans. The purpose of this site is to promote understanding of spiders, in particular those of the Midwest United States, and to give a glimpse of some of our common families and species.

Classification of spiders

Kindgom Animalia: Animals.
	Phylum Arthropoda: All arthropods have jointed appendages and chitinous exoskeletons. Arthropods must molt (shed their skins) to grow. Other arthropods include insects, crustaceans, millipedes, and centipedes.
		Class Arachnida: Two main body sections, eight legs, chelicerae (fangs, etc.) and book lungs (for respiration). Other arachnids include scorpions, mites and ticks, and daddy long legs.
			Order Araneae: Spiders! Spiders have fangs (most have venom), pedipalps (appendages that look like miniature legs; used by males during mating), and spinnerets. Some spiders make webs to catch prey, while others are active hunters. Most spiders have eight eyes but some families have six.
			A = Araneomorphae H = Haplogynae E = Entelegynae R = RTA clade L = Lycosoidea D = Dionycha O = Orbiculariae 1 = Derived Araneoids 2 = Araneoid sheetweb weavers

The order Araneae is comprised of many families. 18 common families are represented below.
Each color links to a new page (several pages combine related families).

References:

Howell, W. M. and R. L. Jenkins. 2004. Spiders of the Eastern United States: A Photographic Guide. Pearson Education, Inc. Boston, MA.

Levi, H. W., L. R. Levi, H. S. Zim, and L. R. Levi. 1981. Spiders and Their Kin (Golden Guide). Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc./St. Martin's Press. New York, NY.

Weber, L. 2003. Spiders of the North Woods. Kollath-Stensaas Publishing. Duluth, MN.

Links:

American Arachnological Society

American Tarantula Society

Arachnology: Araneae

Nearctic Spider Database

Spider Myths Site

Tree of Life: Araneae

UNL Entomology: Spiders Images

Lotslegs Arthropods

CUES: Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability