Harmless-to-humans
Guides
Argiope argentata
Silver Argiope, Silver Garden Spider, Silver Garden Orbweaver
Argiope argentata is a large, striking orb-weaving spider found from the southern United States through Central and South America to Chile and Argentina. Females are notable for their silvery cephalothorax and distinctive X-shaped stabilimentum in their webs, formed by four zigzag silk bands. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism, with females reaching 12–16 mm body length while males are only 4–5 mm. Unlike many temperate Argiope species that mature in late summer, A. argentata adults may be found year-round in warmer regions, with males maturing as early as February. The spider incorporates UV-reflecting silks into both its body coloration and web decorations, which may function to attract pollinating prey by mimicking floral signals.
Castianeira cingulata
twobanded antmimic, two-banded ant-mimic sac spider
Castianeira cingulata is a small ant-mimicking spider in the family Corinnidae, commonly known as the twobanded antmimic. Females measure 7–8 mm in body length, males 6–7 mm. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry of carpenter ants through coloration, body shape, and behavioral displays including bobbing movements and foreleg waving that simulates antennae. It inhabits woodland leaf litter across eastern North America, where it hunts insect prey.
ant-mimicryBatesian-mimicryleaf-litter-predatorCorinnidaeeastern-North-Americaforest-floor-spiderharmless-to-humansoverwintering-in-silk-sacksdiurnal-and-nocturnalslow-deliberate-movementforeleg-waving-displaysmall-size-6-8mmtwo-pale-abdominal-bandscarpenter-ant-mimicwoodland-habitatactive-hunternon-web-building-spidersilken-retreat-constructionpotential-multi-year-lifespan-in-southwandering-behavior-brings-indoorsChelifer cancroides
House Pseudoscorpion
Chelifer cancroides, the house pseudoscorpion, is a small pseudoscorpion species measuring 2.5–4.5 mm in body length with pedipalps extending to 7–9 mm. It is the most widely distributed pseudoscorpion species globally, occurring across North America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Caribbean. The species is strongly synanthropic, frequently found in human dwellings, barns, and beehives, but also occurs in natural habitats including under tree bark, in caves, and in bird nests. It is harmless to humans and preys on small arthropods.
Micrathena mitrata
white micrathena
Micrathena mitrata is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the white micrathena. Females range from 4 to 9 mm in body length, while males are smaller at 3 to 4 mm. The species is characterized by a shiny black abdomen and spiky, yellowish-brown legs. It constructs circular orb webs to capture flying insects and is found from the United States south to Brazil. Despite its spiny appearance, it poses no danger to humans.
Pholcus phalangioides
Long-bodied Cellar Spider, Cosmopolitan Cellar Spider, Daddy Long-legs Spider
Pholcus phalangioides is a long-legged cellar spider native to Asia that has become cosmopolitan through human association. Females reach about 7-8 mm body length with legs 5-6 times longer; males are slightly smaller at 6-10 mm. The species is notable for building loose, irregular webs in dark indoor spaces and for its specialized predatory behaviors including web invasion and aggressive mimicry. It preys on other spiders—including dangerous species such as redbacks—and exhibits a distinctive whirling defense against predators. Despite common misconceptions, its bite is harmless to humans.
Scutigera coleoptrata
House Centipede, Thousand-legger
Scutigera coleoptrata, commonly known as the house centipede, is a fast-moving predatory centipede native to the Mediterranean region that has become cosmopolitan through human commerce. Adults possess 15 pairs of extremely long, delicate legs and well-developed faceted eyes—unusual traits among centipedes. They are synanthropic, thriving in human dwellings where they hunt household arthropods. Despite their alarming appearance and speed, they pose minimal threat to humans and are considered beneficial predators of pests.
Tipulidae
Large Crane Flies, Crane Flies
Tipulidae is a large family of true flies in the order Diptera, comprising over 4,200 described species in more than 30 genera. Members are commonly known as crane flies or large crane flies, characterized by their elongated bodies and exceptionally long, slender legs. Adults are typically short-lived and often do not feed; their primary purpose is reproduction. Larvae occupy diverse moist habitats including soil, leaf litter, decaying wood, and aquatic environments, where most feed on decaying organic matter. The family has a fossil record extending to the Late Jurassic.
DipteraNematoceracrane-fliesdecomposerssaprophagousshort-lived-adultsmating-swarmsturfgrass-pestsharmless-to-humansworldwide-distributionLate-Jurassic-fossilsCharles-Paul-Alexandermaxillary-palps13-antennal-segmentsLimoniidaePediciidaemosquito-hawk-misnomerdaddy-longlegs-confusionleatherjacketsaquatic-larvaeterrestrial-larvaespring-emergencelight-attractionwingless-snow-crane-flies-in-genus-Chionea-(now-Limoniidae)Zygiella
Missing-sector Orbweb Spiders
Zygiella is a genus of orb-weaver spiders distinguished by their distinctive webs, which feature a missing sector containing a single signaling thread that leads to a tubular retreat. First described by F. O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1902, the genus underwent taxonomic revision in 2015 when Parazygiella was synonymized with Zygiella. The genus has a global distribution, with species found across Europe, North America, Asia, and introduced populations in South America and elsewhere.