Did you know that Illinois has hundreds of different types of spiders? The good news is that most of them do not threaten human health.
Even though the state is home to many of these fascinating animals, only roughly 30 to 35 different species are commonly spotted throughout the state.
Spiders, in general, are intriguing creatures, and this is not just because many species of spiders have appealing aesthetics.
For instance, similar to chameleons, several species of spiders can transform their appearance to blend in with their surroundings.
Many species spin silk webs that have more tensile strength than steel, even though the webs of these organisms appear delicate.
Many species of spiders do not spin webs but instead seek their food on the ground with great ferocity.
Once they catch their prey, the spiders inject them with venom and consume them.
Because they comprise the biggest group of small predators, spiders are essential to the natural food chain. This holds for the types of spiders in Illinois.
They eliminate more insect populations yearly than birds or reptiles, giving them an important part in environmental regulation.
This article will supply all the information you require concerning 20 different types of spiders in Illinois. You will soon be able to determine the species of these animals on your own!
1. Tan Jumping Spider (Platycryptus Undatus)
- Family: Salticidae
- Adult Size: 0.33 to 0.51 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
The tan jumping spiders are true indigenes of Illinois. The bark of trees, fences, and other wooden or vertical surfaces are common places for these spiders to call home.
Although it is possible to come across these spiders inside, they spend most of their time outside. These jumping arachnids have eight eyes, like most other types of spiders in Illinois. Unusually, though, every one of their eyeballs is positioned looking forward.
You will frequently come across some with skin tones of gray, black, tan, and brown, as well as dots of white, brown, and even reddish areas, all of which assist them in blending in with their environment.
Some tan jumping spiders have stripes like zebras, while others have a consistent gray coloration over their bodies.
Tan jumping spiders feature chevrons on their flattened bodies that are lighter in color than the rest of their bodies.
Male tan jumping spiders typically have fuzzy, white-colored fangs on their mouthparts. On the other hand, females usually have shiny and black fangs but are hairless. Additionally, females tend to be larger than men.
It’s exciting to watch jumping spiders perform their courtship dances. To attract potential mates, male tan jumping spiders will beat on the ground in a rhythmic sequence using their forelegs, which they will then wave around.
Tan jumping spiders are solitary beings who only come out to hunt during the day. They don’t construct web traps as you might expect.
They are more likely to wait in ambush for their prey and inject their victims with venom before consuming them.
2. Striped Fishing Spider (Dolomedes scriptus)
- Family: Pisauridae
- Adult Size: Up to 1 inch
- Lifespan: 1 year
These types of spiders in Illinois are found naturally throughout most of the United States. They are also present in some areas of Canada.
They can be found in coastal woodlands and frequently hunt for prey along riverbanks, just like most other fishing spiders.
Most of the time, these spiders have a light brown coloration, and white stripes go along both sides of their bodies.
Additionally, their legs have a few lighter stripes. The length of these spiders’ legs is mainly responsible for their imposing stature.
Specific characteristics distinguish male striped fishing spiders from female striped fishing spiders, like many other types of spiders in Illinois.
For instance, the leg spread of females is often longer than that of males. In addition, they have a dark band that wraps around their cephalothorax, while males have white bands and are slightly smaller than females.
In the same manner, as their counterparts, striped fishing spiders do not spin webs that include traps. They instead utilize their other hunting skills to bring down their target.
These arachnids can detect the movement of their prey because they are sensitive to vibrations on the water’s surface. They proceed to capture and tame it by skating across the river to reach it.
These interesting critters can also dive deep below the surface of the water to capture fish and other marine life.
3. Marbled Orbweaver (Araneus marmoreus)
- Family: Araneidae
- Adult Size: 0.2 to 0.7 inches
- Lifespan: Six months
The abdomens of marbled orb-weavers are big, oval-shaped, and have beautiful patterns. You can find marble-like patterns on their abdomens, which can be orange, white, black, or yellow. Their legs likewise feature a striped pattern of black and white.
You can find this gorgeous spider in various habitats, including shrublands, woodlands, meadows, fields, and even residential settings.
Marbled orb-weavers are solitary creatures that are most active at night. They prefer to avoid the human company.
In Illinois, female marbled orb-weavers, like most other spiders, are significantly larger than their male counterparts.
You are more likely to come across female marbled orb-weavers than males. However, you are more likely to see males during breeding seasons.
The marbled orb-weavers feed on a variety of different kinds of crawling insects. They spin webs and fasten a signal thread to one side of the web to attract and capture prey.
The signal thread will begin to vibrate when their prey becomes entangled in the webs, which will notify them.
After that, they emerge from their hiding area and launch an assault on the victim. They can avoid being attacked by predators because of this method.
These spiders are not hostile, unlike most types of spiders in Illinois, despite what first impressions may lead you to believe.
In most cases, they will not bite people. Additionally, the venom they produce is harmless to human beings. Its sole value lies in its ability to subdue prey and protect against predators.
4. White-banded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes)
- Family: Thomisidae
- Adult Size: 0.31 to 0.55 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
White-banded crab spiders are one of the types of spiders in Illinois that can change the color of their bodies.
Depending on the flower they are on, these spiders can change their color from white to yellow or vice versa.
On the other hand, their hues do not shift instantaneously. The time it takes for this to occur can range anywhere from three to nine days.
The vast majority of their food comes from pollinators such as bees, moths, and butterflies. However, these arachnids will also consume other species of spiders.
Pollen is a typical energy source for males looking for female partners. Arthropods are another common source of energy.
The colors and patterns of this species change depending on where they are. Yellow, white, or light brown coloration is the fundamental hue of a female’s body.
There may be brown spots, blank spots, or red marks on the abdomen. When viewed from above, it looks like a rounded triangle since the rear end is where it is the broadest.
Adult male white-banded crab spiders appear in various colors, including green, dazzling red, and yellow, and they are much smaller than adult females.
Additionally, adult males are far less colorful than adult females. They have dark front legs, but their back legs are either brilliant yellow or green.
5. Rustic Wolf Spider (Trochosa ruricola)
- Family: Lycosidae
- Adult Size: Up to 1 inch
- Lifespan: 1 year
At least 47 species of wolf spiders may be found in Illinois, and the rustic wolf spider is one of those species.
This particular spider can frequently inhabit woodland scrubs, meadows, and grasslands. They do most of their hunting on the ground, and their prey of choice is typically insects and other small arthropods.
Like other species of wolf spiders, female rustic wolf spiders exhibit intense parental care for their young. They carry the eggs on their spinnerets for about three weeks until the spiderlings emerge.
After spending some time together on their mother’s back, these young spiders eventually go on to other places.
The carapaces of rustic wolf spiders are dark brown and feature a white stripe that runs the length of their carapace. The stripe goes up to the beginning of the abdominal region.
Because they do not have a lot of distinguishing characteristics, unfortunately, it is simple to confuse them with other species of wolf spiders.
Because distinguishing between species of wolf spiders typically requires the assistance of an expert, most people lump them together.
In most cases, you will need to check certain bodily parts, such as their genitalia, using a powerful magnification tool and enough illumination to be sure.
6. Arrowhead Orbweaver (Verrucosa arenata)
- Family: Araneidae
- Adult Size: 0.15 to 0.55 inches
- Lifespan: Up to 1 year
The arrowhead spider is one of the few large orb-weaving spiders that sits in its web with its back to the ceiling rather than with its back to the floor.
Because of the sharp, triangular-shaped abdomen, which resembles the point of an arrow, these insects got their name from this physical trait.
In addition to their triangular abdomens, they each have a triangle patch covering the entire abdominal region.
This spot, which resembles an arrowhead, is often yellow or white. On the other hand, males typically do not have this form or have one that is less apparent.
The legs of females are often dark brown, black, or rusty red color. Females are often larger than males and are the more socially significant gender.
You won’t often find male arrowhead spiders in their webs unless they are trying to mate with or court a female spider living there.
The majority of this spider’s food consists of smaller flying insects. They catch the insects by getting them tangled up in the sticky webs they spin.
In Illinois, arrowhead spiders have webs that are significantly more durable than the vast majority of other orb-weavers.
They spin webs almost undetectable to the animals they hunt, which is why they can effectively capture so many of them. The webs each have a single, centralized hub rather than any radial threads.
Arrowhead spiders can thrive in various habitats, including forests, yards, plantations, gardens, and urban parks.
As a direct consequence of this, the majority of sightings take place in the late summer and early fall.
7. American Grass Spider (Agelenopsis spp.)
- Family: Agelenidae
- Adult Size: 0.4 to 0.8 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
As their name suggests, you are more likely to come across American grass spiders in meadows or lush woodlands.
They have a shade or two darker than brown, and their abdomens each have two distinct jagged light stripes with lines ranging from black to dark brown.
In addition, the cephalothorax of American grass spiders contains stripes that vary in tone from light to dark down its length.
This isn’t always the case, but in some American grass spiders, the cephalothorax is wider than the abdomen.
It isn’t easy to distinguish the many species of American grass spiders apart without the assistance of an expert, even though Illinois is home to multiple species of these spiders.
These particular arachnids are called sheet-weavers or funnel-weavers because they spin horizontal webs resembling sheets, with an inverted funnel-shaped web underneath.
Typically, they will build the funnel portion of their nests directly above their primary protection. Their webs allow them to capture the arthropods that make up most of their meal.
These spiders conceal themselves in the conical portion of their webs, where they wait for prey to fall onto the sheet below them.
These spiders wait for the vibrations created by their prey struggle before swooping down to sting their victims.
It is perfectly safe to be near American grass spiders. They rarely attack people and will only bite if they feel threatened.
If this spider bit you, you will most likely experience some discomfort, but the venom is not lethal.
8. Shamrock Orbweaver (Araneus Trifolium)
- Family: Araneidae
- Adult Size: Up to 0.9 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
Typically, shamrock spiders have a beige or brown color. However, many have huge, spherical abdomens marked with either yellow, green, brown, or orange.
It’s not uncommon for people to confuse individuals with orange abdomens with marbled orb-weavers.
The cephalothorax of most shamrock spiders is usually a dark brown color, and their legs typically contain rings that alternate between white and brown.
These hairy arachnids prefer humid environments and typically take positions in the middle of their webs. On the other hand, these spiders frequently withdraw to hide to avoid prey or prospective enemies.
After withdrawing, they are still connected to the web by a single strand of the material. Because of this relationship, they can detect vibrations created by possible prey.
The width of the webs that shamrock spiders spin can reach up to 2 feet. These spiders typically begin dismantling their traps in the morning after consuming the prey they captured the previous night.
They spend most of their evenings reconstructing these webs only to go through the process again the next day.
Shamrock spiders can inflict painful bites on humans, although the venom they produce is not harmful to people.
Because the spiders aren’t particularly hostile, you’ll likely only get bitten if you accidentally disturb one of them.
9. Banded Garden Spider (Argiope trifasciata)
- Family: Araneidae
- Adult Size: 0.59 to 0.98 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
Banded garden spiders are easily identifiable by the bright yellow coloration of their bodies and the elongated, spindly appearance of their legs.
As their name might imply, these spiders tend to make their homes in places like gardens, prairies, woodlands, and other environments with a lot of greenery.
They are easily identifiable by their huge bodies and oval-shaped abdomens. However, in contrast to female spiders, male spiders are typically quite a bit more diminutive than their female counterparts.
They are uncannily similar to the yellow garden spider, although the latter is slightly larger and more brilliantly colored than the former.
The banded garden spider is easily identifiable by the smudge-like marking in the shape of a U on the top of its abdomen.
These particular arachnids do not engage in hunting. They then wait for their prey to stumble into the elaborate webs they have spun inadvertently.
After successfully capturing their victim, they will next encase it in silk and inject venom into its body so they can consume it at a later time.
The majority of the time, you may find them resting in the middle of their web during the day. These arachnids are not highly gregarious, although you can frequently encounter banded garden spiders and yellow garden spiders living close to one another.
Garden spiders generally lead solitary lives and are hostile toward other species of spiders, except during mating seasons.
There is no danger to humans posed by banded garden spiders. They don’t bite very often. However, even if they do, the bites have the same impact as a wasp sting and will only cause modest swelling and slight pain in the victim.
10. Long-legged Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium mildei)
- Family: Cheiracanthium
- Adult Size: 0.3 to 0.4 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
The long-legged sac spider gets its name from the length of its legs compared to other spiders. Even though all of its legs are lengthy, the front pair of its legs is almost discernibly longer than the others.
The typical habitat of this species is the ceilings of buildings, including homes and offices. You can also frequently locate this kind of shelter, which resembles a tiny silk tent, in the crevices of furniture or areas with low illumination levels.
The nest, which resembles a tent, is not constructed to hunt prey but rather for resting. They do not build any web traps.
The body of the long-legged sac spider is brown or yellowish-green in color, depending on its age. The body is big and almost entirely devoid of markings, except for a dark stripe that runs down the middle of the abdomen.
It is covered in short hair. The mouthparts of the vast majority of these variations are a dark brown color.
You’ll also notice that the legs of the long-legged spider are deeper in color than the rest of its body. In most cases, the legs are either pure black or dark brown.
This species is a swift runner and a predator that ambushes victims and hunts under cover of night most of the time.
Long-legged spiders don’t attack people unprovoked. However, most people consider them a nuisance in the home because of the extremely painful bites they can deliver when threatened or squashed.
Even though this spider’s venom is not fatal, the symptoms might linger from a few hours to several days. People who are allergic might also develop a slight fever and feel some edema.
11. Bridge Orbweaver (Larinioides sericatus)
- Family: Araneidae
- Adult Size: 0.31 to 0.55 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
There is a strong attraction between bridge orb-weavers and light sources, particularly artificial ones. Because of this, you can frequently see them in cities and other types of urban environments.
These spiders prefer man-built constructions composed of metal, including well-lit bridges, as their homes. It is possibly because of the light reflected from the water underneath that makes them fascinated with bridges.
On a good day, you can discover as many as one hundred of these spiders in one square meter of space in certain well-lit metropolitan regions.
They congregate around light sources because they attract many insects, which are their preferred sort of meal.
Because these spiders aren’t hunters, they don’t go out of their way to get the insects they prey on. Instead, these nocturnal orb-weavers construct vast webs in areas with a high population of insects, then wait patiently in the middle of the web for prey to become entangled.
Even though they occasionally build their webs near one another, these spiders are not gregarious. The Bridge Orb-Weaver is exceptionally territorial and hostile toward other members of its species.
Although male bridge orb-weavers weigh far less than females, males are slightly larger than females despite their smaller size. However, female bridge orb-weavers occasionally consume the male when food is scarce.
The venom of these spiders is not toxic enough to cause problems for humans. However, since its fangs may readily pierce human skin, you may experience some discomfort or irritation to your skin.
If you are allergic to spider venom, the severity of these symptoms may be amplified.
12. Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)
- Family: Pholcidae
- Adult Size: Up to 0.4 inches
- Lifespan: 2 years
In many areas of the United States, the daddy longlegs spider is a common name for the cellar spider. However, the name “daddy longlegs” was not always used to refer to these spiders.
The first ancestor of the daddy longlegs was a spider-like creature known as a “harvestman” that belonged to the order Opiliones.
Because People confuse daddy longlegs with cellar spiders, the former insect’s name has stuck around. When you look at these spiders, you’ll understand why they were given this name.
It is one of the most common types of spiders in Illinois, particularly in the northern part of the state. Because of their affinity for damp environments such as cellars, some people refer to them as cellar spiders.
However, you can also find them moving around the house and outside; they can thrive anywhere, from the attic to the windowsills.
The bodies of cellar spiders are usually a light tan or brown, and their abdomens are rounded and bulbous.
However, If you are allergic to spider venom, the area where the spider bit you may cause you to experience some slight itching or pain.
Cellar spiders are not violent and will run away from people and other animals if they become scared. But even though they aren’t hunters, they are quite cruel to their prey. The majority of the time, they prey on arthropods, mainly insects.
These arachnids have poor eyesight but are quite good at picking up vibrations from their surroundings. Because of this, they have to rely on their webs to catch their prey.
When an insect becomes caught in one of these webs, the spider is alerted by a vibratory signal and immediately rushes to attack the prey.
13. Black Laceweaver (Amaurobius ferox)
- Family: Amaurobiidae
- Adult Size: Up to 0.63 inches
- Lifespan: Up to 2 years
This nocturnal spider is most frequently observed inside, particularly around April. It is common to discover it in shady or damp areas, such as the spaces between stones and logs in the woods and cellars and cracks in the walls.
Males of this species are smaller overall and have more tapered waist than their female counterparts. They also have a longer lifespan and play more significant roles in society.
The body of the black lace-weaver is, as one might expect given its name, black. On the other hand, it comes in various colors, including dark brown, red, and tan.
These species have rounded abdomen designs that resemble skulls and are colored a bright yellow. Cribellate webs are a well-known tactic used by black lace-weavers to assist in the capturing of their victim.
Because of the silk’s one-of-a-kind fuzzy texture, created by incredibly fine and sticky strands, the web produced by this species is easily identifiable. These spiders were given their names from the intricate latticework pattern of their webs.
These spiders are nocturnal, so they only spin their webs at night. However, this does not prevent black lace-weavers from preying on insect prey that happens to become caught in their webs during the day.
Even though they are not aggressive, black lace-weavers will not hesitate to bite people if they feel threatened.
Their bites have the potential to produce extreme agony, as well as swelling, dark red lumps, and small blisters.
Although the severity of these symptoms depends on whether or not you are allergic to the venom, the venom itself is not noteworthy from a medical standpoint.
14. Crowned Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus)
- Family: Araneidae
- Adult Size: 0.22 to 0.79 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
The cross mark found on the bodies of crowned orb-weavers has made them renowned. The color of an individual spider might range from light yellow to very dark gray.
These arachnids are adept hunters that can capture animals with the help of their webs. Following the successful prey capture by their webs, these spiders render their meals helpless before encasing them in silk for later consumption.
Crowned orb-weavers are cannibals who consume one another in addition to successfully capturing and consuming prey. However, this only happens most of the time before, during, or after sexual activity.
They don’t display this aggressive behavior toward people or bigger animals. These arachnids prefer to live in isolation and avoid any contact with humans. However, these solitary creatures will bite if they feel threatened.
One thing that you might find intriguing is that when these orb-weavers feel threatened, they vibrate their webs until they become fuzzy, which causes any possible predators to become confused.
Like most other types of spiders in Illinois, the female Crowned Orb-Weaver spider is significantly larger than the male. Even males have a slim chance of surviving the mating process because females quickly swallow them after that.
15. Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
- Family: Araneidae
- Adult Size: 0.20 to 1.10 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
Illinois is home to a large population of black and yellow garden spiders. Gardens, meadows, fields, and parks are some of their favorite places to hang out.
Even though different spiders can look quite different from one another, all of these arachnids have one distinguishing feature in common: distinct markings of black and yellow on their abdomens.
Because they have limited eyesight, yellow garden spiders are extremely susceptible to being eaten by other animals.
They also rely on their capacity to detect vibrations and shifts in the air currents around them to identify potential threats.
Most of the time, this garden spider will vigorously shake its web to make it appear larger if it detects a potential predator. When this measure fails to repel the visitor, the spider typically descends from its web and hides.
The yellow garden spiders are a sight that is quite pleasing to the eye. They only bite when they feel threatened, which is not very often.
To our good fortune, their venom poses no threat to human beings. However, their bites can be painful, especially if you are allergic to venom.
You shouldn’t get too worked up over getting rid of these spiders if you discover them in your garden. They are pretty valuable tools for the control of pests.
16. Woodlouse Spider (Dysdera crocata)
- Family: Dysderidae
- Adult Size: 0.35 to 0.59 inches
- Lifespan: 3 to 4 years
They are referred to as “woodlouse hunters” because woodlice are their preferred food source. Under logs, rocks, bricks, plant pots, and leaf litter are where these spiders will frequently search for woodlice to eat.
Unlike many other types of spiders in Illinois, Woodlouse spiders do not use webs to capture their prey. Instead, they pursue victims with hostility and use their venom to coerce them into surrendering.
After temporarily immobilizing their prey, the spiders immediately begin eating it. Because they are nocturnal, the hunting takes place primarily at night.
April and May are the months in which you will most likely come across woodlouse spiders. These predators prefer wet and warm environments outside to hunt in.
However, these spiders can also enter homes and hide in cracks and crevices in the wall. This species can be distinguished from other types of spiders in Illinois by its cephalothorax, a blood-red or brownish-orange color, and yellowish-brown abdomen.
If you get bitten by this spider, there is no need to freak out, even if the bite could potentially be painful. The venom of the woodlouse hunter does not pose a threat to the health of people.
The symptoms will go away on their own after a while, but those who are allergic to the substance may experience them for longer.
17. Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)
- Family: Sicariidae
- Adult Size: 0.24 to 0.8 inches
- Lifespan: 2 to 4 years
The brown recluse is one of the most dangerous types of spiders in Illinois. This notorious spider can deliver serious bites, the likes of which require immediate medical attention.
Its venom is cytotoxic, which causes the death of cells in the affected area. This can result in large ulcers that become more severe over time and are more challenging to treat.
If you don’t get it treated on time, you may be left with a significant scar once the incision has healed.
This particular type of spider is not hostile, despite its history of being labeled a deadly species. Brown recluse spiders will either run away or draw themselves into a ball and act as though they are dead when they feel threatened.
Most of the time, you will get bitten when you accidentally brush up against this spider, which will then bite you to defend itself.
In most cases, brown recluses utilize their venom to temporarily paralyze their prey before feeding on it. Flies, mosquitoes, and crickets make up most of its regular diet.
You can recognize this spider by its distinctive characteristic, which is a carapace pattern resembling a violin.
The violin marking on the brown recluse spider can have varying degrees of darkness depending on the spider’s age; more mature brown recluse spiders have very dark violin forms.
The brown recluse’s color ranges from tan to dark brown most of the time. Additionally, it has only six eyes, whereas most types of spiders in Illinois have eight eyes each.
18. Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida)
- Family: Lycosidae
- Adult Size: 0.43 to 0.83 inches
- Lifespan: Up to 2 years
There is a rationale for naming rabid wolf spiders after their namesake animal, the wolf. Both of these animals are renowned for their prowess in the hunt.
These predatory spiders hunt their victims with the same ferocity and determination as wolves. Nevertheless, that is not the only thing that they have in common.
The night vision of rabid wolf spiders is among the best in the animal kingdom. Compared to other types of spiders in Illinois, wolf spiders most likely have the sharpest eyesight overall.
Overall, females tend to be greater in size than males. The length of a female’s body is around an inch, while a male’s body is approximately half that length. These spiders spin silk to build egg sacs and wrap their prey.
The maternal and paternal instincts of rabid wolf spiders are exceptional. These arachnids will go around with their egg sacs still attached to their spinnerets until the eggs hatch.
They will carry their spiderlings on their backs after they have hatched and do so until the spiderlings can care for themselves.
If you are still perplexed as to why they are referred to as “rabid” wolf spiders, it is because of their chaotic behavior and how quickly they can move.
Although their posture gives the impression that they are hostile, they are not likely to bite unless trapped in a confined space with no way to escape.
The venom of a rabid wolf spider is not harmful to people in and of itself. Therefore, you won’t be in danger even if this spider bit you. However, the agony from its bite is comparable to that of a bee sting.
19. Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus)
- Family: Theridiidae
- Adult Size: Up to 0.63 inches
- Lifespan: 1 to 3 years
There are some differences between the northern black widow and its southern and western counterparts, even though it has a similar appearance.
The bellies of all three species of black widow spiders have a bright red hourglass-shaped pattern. Their skin is glossy black.
However, in contrast to the other black widow spiders, the red hourglass marking that is found on the abdomen of the northern black widow is shattered.
The sign does not appear to be a complete hourglass but resembles two triangles with their points pointed in opposite directions.
Males are distinguished from females by the presence of four diagonal whitish bands on either side of the abdomen.
Like all other species of black widows, the mating rituals of female northern black widows involve cannibalism.
Males are physically smaller than females, and their primary purpose in life is to aid in reproduction. Following copulation, the females consume their male companions. It is not evident why the person is acting in this manner.
Northern black widows bite only when they feel threatened. Their venom can be up to 15 times more potent than rattlesnakes, although they are timid and non-aggressive spiders.
Latrodectism, a condition that requires medical attention, can be caused by a bite from this species. In addition to excruciating discomfort, the venom leads to trouble breathing. In severe cases, it might result in death.
20. Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax)
- Family: Salticidae
- Adult Size: 0.25 to 0.75 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
One of the many different types of spiders in Illinois is the bold jumping spider. They can look insignificant, but don’t be fooled by their size.
The bold jumping spider is a proficient hunter that goes out searching for prey rather than relying on web traps to get its meals.
When conditions are favorable, these types of spiders in Illinois can consume prey four times their size. They wait in ambush for their prey and then inject their victims with doses of venom that are typically fatal.
Sometimes, they will utilize strands of silk to keep difficult prey from fleeing before they consume it. Because of their speedy jumping abilities and the capacity to cover heights up to 50 times their body length, Experts refer to these spiders as daring jumpers.
There aren’t too many spiders in Illinois or the rest of North America capable of making such daring jumps.
The short, powerful back legs of daring jumping spiders allow them to achieve such impressively high jumps. These remarkable jumps are made possible by the spiders’ ability to adjust the blood pressure in their legs.
Female bold jumping spiders in Illinois are often larger than their male counterparts, which is typical among spider species in the state.
Additionally, females live longer than men and are more likely to be encountered. You might come across one of these spiders on a grassland, a woodland, or even in your own house.
Even though their natural response to danger is to flee, they can deliver a painful sting if they are cornered and have no other option. The venom they inject may cause temporary pain and swell on the bitten area.
