There are nearly 1,000 species of spiders found in Texas, but only a few are venomous to humans. Most are beneficial, feeding on pests of agricultural crops, fire ants and mosquitoes that they ensnare in their silken traps.

Spider silk is almost as tough as steel. It has been tested for use in bulletproof vests and has been used as crosshairs in rifle sights during wartime.

Silk for spider webs is produced from unique organs called spinnerets. Many hunting spiders do not produce “typical” spider webs, but they wait for prey to approach or chase after their food.

Many spider species are colorful and have various ornate body shapes.

The biggest spiders are the tarantulas, and several species of tarantulas are found in Texas. Their bodies are covered with a dense layer of hairs. Male tarantulas are often seen crossing roadways during October when they wander in search of females.

The wolf spiders are usually found on the ground at night searching for prey.
Eyes reflect the light back from flashlights. Wolf spiders belong to the Family Lycosidae.

The jumping spiders use their excellent eyesight to pounce on prey. Jumping spiders belong to the Family Salticidae.

The arrowshaped micrathena is colorful with an ornate body shape.  It produces a typical orb web.  Micrathena sagittata Walckenaer, an orbweaver, belongs to the spider family Araneidae. 

The yellow garden spider makes a typical orb web with a stabilementum (the zig-zag pattern in middle of web). Commonly observed during late summer/fall.  Argiope aurantia, an orbweaver, belongs to the spider family Araneidae.

Check out these other spider links:

• Checklist of Texas spiders
• Dangerous spiders
• Spiders in the classroom

Contributors to this feature:

• Alejandro Calixto
• Allen Dean
• Ed Riley