The oval body of the spider is adorned with white speckling and a greenish mark on its back. This common house spider features spindly legs that neither point outward nor inward, adding to its distinctive appearance. Yellow Sac Spiders (Cheiracanthium) are easily recognizable by their yellowish-white, sometimes tan bodies and long legs. Yellow Sac Spiders (Cheiracanthium) Image source Flickr by Ahmad Hassan Their pearl-white coloring can transform to yellow when they inhabit yellow host flowers.ĭo you know: One of their favorite prey items is wasps or bees, indicating their relatively large size-they’re about the size of a wasp. In North America and Europe, female goldenrod crab spiders prefer to perch on flowering plants throughout their lives, camouflaging themselves in blooms like goldenrod or daisies. Female goldenrod crab spiders boast large round abdomens and two elongated crab-like front legs, while males remain small, never exceeding 0.19 inches (5 mm) in size, while females can grow up to 0.39 inches (10 mm).
The Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) stands out as a unique species with its color-changing ability, crab-like appearance, and exceptional hunting skills. Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) Image source Flickr by Ahmad Hassan Their distinguishing characteristic includes four long forelegs and four short hind legs.ĭo you know: Crab spiders do not weave webs instead, they are primarily ambush predators. These spiders are commonly found throughout the United States, with a significant presence in Florida, where they inhabit gardens, parks, and woodlands. Measuring between 0.16” to 0.23” (4 – 6 mm) long, females are generally larger than males. The Caribbean Crab Spider (Misumessus) is a strange-looking white spider featuring a flattened tear-shaped body, translucent greenish-white head and legs, and tiny chelicerae. Caribbean Crab Spider (Misumessus) Image source Flickr by Ahmad Hassan If you waggle a finger behind them, they will spin around to take a closer look. Known for their agility, these jumping spiders can leap rapidly, navigate their surroundings quickly, and jump distances of more than 2 feet (0.6 m).ĭo you know: The spider has six smaller, fixed eyes that detect movement to the sides and rear. Both males and females are similar in size, measuring between 0.19 to 0.35 inches (5 to 9 mm). Covered in tiny white hairs with distinctive white markings and stripes, this spider displays a pattern reminiscent of a zebra’s appearance. The Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenic), a member of the Salticidae family, gets its name from the striking white and black pigment that adorns its body. Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenic) Image source Flickr by Ahmad Hassan Sometimes, their bites can be more severe than those of brown recluse spiders. For example, yellow sac spiders, commonly found hiding under leaves and stones in gardens, may cause bites during summertime gardening activities. While most white spider species are not considered highly dangerous to humans and pets, their bites can still be uncomfortable and irritating. The initial sensation can be intense and achy, followed by a burning feeling. As with all spiders, white spiders have the potential to sting and cause pain, similar to a bee sting. White spiders, despite their seemingly harmless appearance, do possess chelicerae, which are their fangs or pincers used for biting when provoked.
Are white spiders always dangerous to humans and pets? Some create messy tangle webs, while others craft beautiful circular orb webs or protective funnel webs. Identifying white spider species can also involve observing the type of web they spin. They lack antennae and wings, and their eyes are simple. Unlike insects, spiders have eight legs and two body segments in the class Arachnida.
They often have bulbous white bodies, but some may have colored markings, black spots, or spiny legs. White spiders can be identified by their eight legs, creamy-white abdomen and cephalothorax (head), six or eight eyes, and distinctive mouthparts. 14 Reference: How to Identify White Spider Image source Flickr by Ahmad Hassan