Living in New Mexico and witness spiders in your house or garden ? Curious about which ones are harmless and which could pose a threat ? Spiders in New Mexico come in various shapes and sizes , and knowing how to identify them is key to conserve a dependable environment .
This scout will bid you essential tip on recognizing the most plebeian spider in New Mexico , helping you sympathise their unique traits and behaviors .
Keep reading for a comprehensive look at these spiders and the safe touchstone you’re able to take to protect yourself and your family .
Different Types of Spiders in New Mexico
Western Black Widow
The Western Black Widow ( Latrodectus hesperus ) , belonging to the Theridiidae kinfolk , closely resemble its southerly counterpart . Sporting a shiny black body with a red - orangeness hourglass chump on its abdomen , this species share its sibling ’s poisonous nature . Its venom , up to 15 times more potent than a rattler ’s , can rush severe symptom known as latrodectism . distaff western smuggled widow woman , dominant and long - hold out , often squander their mates after mating .
get preponderantly indoors , they weave sticky cobwebs to ensnare unsuspecting prey like insect and little arthropods .
Brown Widow
The Brown Widow ( Latrodectus geometricus ) , a member of the Theridiidae home , shares traits with its sinister widow relatives . While its venom can cause annoyance and swelling , severe symptoms are uncommon due to the smaller dose it injects . Sporting a opprobrious cephalothorax and a reddish - hourglass mark , it ’s identifiable by its brownness , patterned abdomen and leg .
Unlike smuggled widows , it favors slightly more queer areas like eaves and garage . progress mussy cobwebs for shelter and hunt , it prey on arthropod and craft silk orchis sac to protect its offspring , like to smutty widow .
Brown Recluse
TheBrown Recluse(Loxosceles reclusa ) from the Sicariidae family is a secretive arachnid known for its violin - influence marker on the shield , earning it gens like “ violin wanderer ” or “ fiddleback spider . ” choose privacy , females remain in one spot for extended periods , while males venture out , particularly during union time of year .
Despite their elusive nature , they ’re infamous for their cytotoxic venom , which causes painful sores or ulcers in humans . While bites may sometimes be venomless , urgent medical attention is crucial due to possible severe symptoms . gratefully , collation are rarefied , fall out mainly in self - defence .
Bold Jumping Spider
The BoldJumping Spider(Phidippus audax ) , part of the Salticidae family , is a singular arachnid known for its agility and keen sightedness . With stout legs adept at launching them into high-pitched jumps , they ’re distinguishable by their enlarged front twosome of eyes , assist in sharp vision .
gambol a sinister body with milklike hairs on leg join and three reddish - orangeness markings on the abdomen , they ’re easily recognizable . Preferring hunt over entanglement - spinning , their harmless venom poses no terror to humans , making them curious and fascinating creatures to observe .
Texas Brown Tarantula
The Bold Jumping Spider ( Phidippus audax ) , part of the Salticidae family , is a remarkable arachnid roll in the hay for its agility and keen eyesight . With stalwart legs adept at launching them into high jumps , they ’re distinguishable by their blown-up front couplet of eye , help in sharp vision .
Western Parson Spider
The Western Parson Spider ( Herpyllus propinquus ) , a member of the Gnaphosidae family , is a dark gray or blackened , haired arachnid with a blank pattern on its back , resembling an 18th - century clergyman ’s cravat .
Found in various piece of New Mexico , it resides in crevices or under junk , emerging at night to trace . These spiders do n’t spin distinctive web but stalk and subdue prey with venom , which is harmless to humans . While in general non - strong-growing , they can seize with teeth if threatened .
Southern Black Widow
The Southern Black Widow ( Latrodectus mactans ) , a member of the Theridiidae kinsfolk , is a ill-famed arachnid find in New Mexico and across North America . With a sleek black body measuring up to 0.5 inch and a distinctive red - orange hourglass grading , it ’s unmistakable . While infamous for their venomous bites , these spiders typically only strike when provoked .
Found mostly indoors , they weave intricate webs to ensnare quarry like flies and gnat , while also produce silk egg sacs to safeguard their offspring .
Carolina Giant Wolf Spider
The CarolinaWolf Spider(Hogna carolinensis ) , the magnanimous wolf spider in North America , measures 0.70 to 1.5 inches and has a life of up to two age . This brownspider features two broad ignominious stripeson its carapace and stripes patterns on its abdominal cavity . A huntsman that lie in wait prey , it uses spitefulness to immobilize victims , though its chomp are harmless to humans .
opt arid habitats , it ’s non - aggressive and rarely bite unprovoked . Females carry ball theca and spiderlings on their backs until they suppurate .
Western Desert Tarantula
The Desert Blonde Tarantula ( Aphonopelma chalcodes ) belong to the Theraphosidae family and is also recognise as the Arizona Blonde Tarantula or Mexican Blonde Tarantula . This large spider , measuring 1.5 to 2 inch , can live on for 5 to 30 years . It has a tan or browned body with a blonde carapace and venter .
rule in arid regions , it live in silk - line tunnel and hunts small arthropods . Although its sizing may be intimidate , it seldom bites human race unprovoked , and its spite is harmless , causing only modest hurting and protuberance .
Southern House Spider
SouthernHouse Spiders(Kukulcania hibernalis ) belong to the Filistatidae category . They are also known as Giant Crevice Weavers or Southern Crevice Spiders . These spiders , mensurate 0.31 to 0.75 inches , have a life of 1 to 8 years .
They are commonly regain indoors in dark , sheltered arena like closets , windowsill , and crevices . They reel wooly , non - sticky web to trap pocket-sized arthropod and emerge at nighttime to track down . Though virulent , their bite are not medically significant to humans .
European Cross Orbweaver
The European Cross Orb - weaver finch ( Araneus diadematus ) , from the Araneidae family , measures 0.22 to 0.79 inches and has a lifespan of 1 year . Known as the Cross Orb - weaver or Pumpkin Spider , it ’s common in garden , forests , and near human - made structures . This spider build wheel - like webs with unenviable threads , sit in the shopping centre to wait for target .
While its venom is effective against insects , it is harmless to humans and bites only in ego - defense . Its chocolate-brown abdomen feature classifiable bad-tempered - similar ashen billet .
American House Spider
The Common House Spider ( Parasteatoda tepidariorum ) , a member of the Theridiidae syndicate , measures 0.15 to 0.24 inch and has a lifespan of 1 class . Unlike its pitch-dark widow woman relation , its bites are relatively harmless , induce only soft pain .
Itrarely bites unless provoked and prefers indoorhabitats , spinning sticky cobwebs in moody niche . Feeding on dirt ball and other arthropods , it plays a life-sustaining function in controlling pest populations within home .
Barn Funnel Weaver
The Barn Funnel Weaver ( Tegenaria domestica ) , part of the Araneidae family , duet from 0.24 to 0.45 inches and lives up to 7 years . Common in garden and often find in service department and shed , they are also know as Drain Spiders .
Despite their name , they do n’t dwell in drain but favour rampart crevices indoors . out of doors , they weave funnel - shaped webs to catch prey . Harmless to humans , they rarely sting unless provoked .
Arrowhead Orbweaver
The Arrowhead Orbweaver ( Verrucosa arenata ) from the Araneidae family measure between 0.15 to 0.55 inches and has a lifespan of up to 1 class . With a reddish - brown hue and peg spines , it stand out with its triangular venter .
Found among woodsy flora , they spin orb web to bewitch quarry . Despite their belligerent hunt conduct , they are docile toward humans , rarely burn even when provoked . If bitten , their mild maliciousness stimulate no serious harm .
Bark Crab Spider
The BarkCrab Spider(Bassaniana versicolor ) from the Thomisidae family measure between 0.15 to 0.27 inches and has a lifetime of 1 year . Its fateful body , adorned with chocolate-brown mottles , offer effective camouflage ontree barksin timberland .
Resembling crabs , it moves forward , backward , and sidelong , thanks to its longer first two pairs of leg . This swift huntsman does n’t use webs but relies on venom to subdue prey . Harmless to humans , it seldom prick unless provoked .
Arrow-shaped Micrathena
The Arrow - shape Orbweaver ( Micrathena sagittata ) belongs to the Araneidae kinsfolk , measuring between 0.2 to 0.35 in and living up to a year . Its body features orangish or reddish - brown hues with distinctive chickenhearted stripes along the cephalothorax . The abdomen isyellow with black spotsand three brace of pointed tubercles , resemble an pointer .
These wanderer construct large orb webs to ensnare prey , trust on vibrations to place caught worm . Harmless to man , they seldom sting unless provoked .
Banded Fishing Spider
The Banded Fishing Spider ( Dolomedes vittatus ) , from the Pisauridae family , run in size from 0.27 to 1 column inch and has a lifespan of about a year . normally found near waterbodies like streams and ponds , it ’s also sighted in coastal forests and prairies .
This species , skilled in both terrestrial and aquatic hunt , uses quiver to detect prey and can even plunge underwater to appropriate it . Although their bite are painful , they ’re not medically substantial unless provoked .
Cork-lid Trapdoor Spider
The Cork - lid Trapdoor Spider ( Ummidia spp . ) go to the Halonoproctidae family , reaching sizes of up to 1.6 inches and boasting lifespans lay out from 5 to 20 years . With its dark brown to black trunk , portly legs , and heavy fang , it ’s a dramatic mass .
This spider creates silk - lined tunnel on the ground , which it hide with a lid crafted from silk and detritus , reserve it to waylay prey with swift efficiency . Despite its imposing appearance , it ’s unlikely to sting homo unless provoked .
Bolas Spider
The Southern Bolas Spider ( Mastophora cornigera ) is a member of the Araneidae syndicate , with an adult sizing ranging from 0.07 to 0.59 inches and a lifespan of about 1 year . This intriguing arachnid features a classifiable venter adorned with two small bumps near its cephalothorax , while its cuticle and ramification typically exhibit browned hues .
Unlike formal ball - weavers , it use a single line of silk , called a bola , with a sticky blob at one remainder , mimicking aboriginal American bolas , to enchant its prey — male moth — by swing it from its ramification .
Bowl and Doily Spider
The bowl and doily wanderer , scientifically known as Frontinella pyramitela , belongs to the Linyphiidae family . With an grownup sizing tramp from 0.12 to 0.16 inches and a lifespan of about one twelvemonth , this petite arachnid showcases a brown hue , a glossy shield , and a classifiable abdomen clothe with perpendicular milky lines that resemble comma .
Often found in forests and timberland , it constructs a complex web comprising a doyley - like tack anchored to tree tree trunk and a bowl - form component , efficaciously ensnaring fast-flying worm for its sustenance . Despite its intricate web - construction art , it poses minimal menace to mankind , exhibiting non - belligerent behavior and producing spitefulness of negligible potency .
Giant Crab Spider
The elephantine crab spider , scientifically known as Olios giganteus , is often err for a unfeigned Cancer wanderer due to its flattened consistency and sideways movement power . Despite its restrain appearance with its hairy black or gray mouthpart and brown ramification , it ’s harmless to humans unless provoke .
Typically plant in ironic habitat , it prefers outdoor environments but may venture indoors once in a while . While its bit can be painful , the venom poses no serious terror to humanity . Female wanderer retrace protective silk sacs for their eggs , fiercely guarding them until they hatch .
Furrow Orbweaver
The furrow orb - weaver , also known as Larinioides cornutus , is recognizable by its brown soundbox adorned with spines on its legs . Its abdomen features a distinct dark pattern resemble furrows or serrated foliage .
Typically institute in forests , gardens , and residential areas , these spiders twirl tumid , orb - like webs to catch prey . While non - fast-growing , they immobilize their victim with venom after sense vibrations on their webs . Their bites , though rare , are harmless to man , causing only modest pain or itchiness .
Goldenrod Crab Spider
The goldenrod crabby person spider , scientifically known as Misumena vatia , sport a yellow , white , or pale green body with a all-inclusive oval belly . Its unique visual aspect and flatten soundbox resemble those of real crabs . Typically found amidst botany , females often inhabit flowerheads , where they patiently look unsuspecting quarry .
These spiders are skilled hunters , ambushing their dupe with their strong front limbs and injecting them with spitefulness . Despite their formidable appearance , goldenrod Cancer the Crab spiders are non - aggressive , and their bites place no significant threat to world .
Running Crab Spider
The running Cancer the Crab spider , scientifically known as Philodromus spp . , is a chocolate-brown arachnid with a dappled physical structure and spinous , long legs . Its belly is mostly sour brown , while the carapace boast sorry brown sides and a light browned centre . This coloration offers excellent disguise ontree bark , forest floor , and dried farewell .
quick and strong , these spiders go after down fair game alternatively of spin web . Despite their name , draw crab spider are harmless to humans and rarely bite .
Banana Spider
The banana tree wanderer , or Trichonephila clavipes , is a stunning orb - weaver with a long , slim yellow abdomen dotted with white , resembling a banana tree . Common in forests , timberland , and gardens , its dismal carapace romp a skull - similar pattern of whitish hair and smear .
The wanderer ’s farseeing leg are favourable yellow with hairy , reddish - brownish joints . Females , declamatory and more noticeable than males , twirl classifiable golden - yellow orb webs to trap prey . Although non - strong-growing , their venom is not medically important .
Yellow Garden Spider
The Yellow Garden Spider ( Argiope aurantia ) , also known as the Black and Yellow Garden Spider or Zigzag Spider , is a beginner - well-disposed orb - weaver . With a sizing of 0.75 to 1.1 inches and a lifespan of one twelvemonth , it ’s unremarkably determine in gardens and areas with abundant flora .
Hanging upside - down in the eye of its bicycle - comparable WWW , it waits for prey to get snare . recognisable by itsblack and yellowlegs and abdomen , this wanderer is harmless to humans , helping control pest population by consuming insects .
Banded Garden Spider
The Banded Garden Spider ( Argiope trifasciata ) , an ball - weaver from the Araneidae family , evaluate 0.59 to 0.98 inches and has a lifespan of one year . Its name derive from the lateral isthmus across its venter , which vary in color from white to orange , browned , and yellow .
Found in garden , timber , and prairies , it spins large globe webs to get quick insects . Sensitive leg hairs detect quarry vibrations , enabling quick paralyzation and consumption . Harmless to homo , these spiders are beneficial for controlling worm population .
Woodlouse Hunter
The Woodlouse Spider ( Dysdera crocata ) , a fellow member of the Dysderidae family , measure 0.35 to 0.59 inches and lives 3 to 4 years . know as the Sowbug Hunter or Pillbug Hunter , it boast a dark red shell , a brownish or tan abdomen , and tenacious fangs .
Unique with only six eye arranged circularly , this wanderer primarily William Holman Hunt woodlice , ambush them with malice . Found in silk nests in crevices and under detritus , they ’re non - aggressive and harmless to humans , though their raciness can do infliction .
False Black Widow
The False Black Widow ( Steatoda grossa ) , part of the Theridiidae family , is abrown to violet - brown spiderwith a bulbous abdomen and coxcomb - like structure on its pegleg . Measuring 0.25 to 0.4 inch and living 1 to 6 eld , it ’s often mistake for the true black widow woman .
Unlike true widows , it miss the scarlet - orange hourglass mark . Found indoors , it spins sticky cobweb to ensnare quarry . Although its chomp is painful , it ’s not medically significant , and symptoms commonly fade without handling .
Long-bodied Cellar Spider
The Long - bodied Cellar Spider ( Pholcus phalangioides ) , part of the Pholcidae family , is a beginner - friendly spider known as “ daddy stilt plover . ” With a body up to 0.4 inches and a lifespan of two year , it ’s tan or brown with long legs , often misguided for harvestman .
Found indoors , particularly in cellars , it spins sweep up web to trap quarry . Vibrating the entanglement to entangle victim , it paralyzes them with modest , harmless venom . This spider also oscillate its internet to evade marauder .
