dwarf spiders
Allomengea is a genus of dwarf spiders in the family Linyphiidae, first described by Embrik Strand in 1912. The genus contains six species with a primarily Holarctic distribution, ranging from North America across Eurasia to East Asia. Species occur in diverse habitats including boreal and temperate regions, with some showing broad transcontinental ranges while others are restricted to specific regions such as the Korean Peninsula or China.
Hackledmesh Weavers, Night Spiders, Laceweavers
Amaurobiidae is a family of three-clawed spiders found worldwide, containing approximately 286 species in 51 genera. Members are characterized by possessing either a cribellum (a silk-spinning plate) or being ecribellate, and are often difficult to distinguish from related families such as Agelenidae, Desidae, and Amphinectidae. The family's taxonomic boundaries and internal relationships have been historically contentious, with genera frequently reassigned between families based on morphological and molecular studies. Australian representatives are small to medium-sized entelegyne spiders with minimal sheet webs, while North American species include relatively large, powerful hunters.
Anachemmis is a genus of North American false wolf spiders in the family Zoropsidae. First described by Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1919, it was briefly synonymized with Titiotus before being reconfirmed as a distinct genus in 1999. The genus contains five species distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. All species were described or redescribed by Platnick & Ubick in 2005.
Anahita is a genus of wandering spiders in the family Ctenidae, established by Karsch in 1879. The genus name derives from an Iranian goddess associated with waters and fertility. These spiders are part of the diverse tropical and subtropical spider fauna, with species distributed across parts of Asia and Africa. As ctenids, they possess characteristic eye arrangements and are active hunters rather than web-builders.
dwarf sheet spiders
Antistea is a genus of dwarf sheet spiders in the family Hahniidae, established by Eugène Simon in 1898. The genus contains only two species: A. brunnea (Palearctic) and A. elegans (Nearctic), together forming a Holarctic distribution pattern. These spiders are among the least commonly encountered hahniids due to their small size and cryptic habits.
running crab spiders
Apollophanes is a genus of running crab spiders (family Philodromidae) with a broad geographic distribution spanning Asia, North America, Central America, and South America. The genus was established by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge in 1898 and contains species characterized by distinctive morphological features including a moderately low prosoma with yellow to orange-brown coloration and dark lateral spots, long slender speckled legs, and a conspicuous heart mark on the opisthosoma. The genus has been recorded from habitats ranging from temperate regions to tropical Atlantic rainforest.
Arcuphantes is a genus of dwarf spiders (Linyphiidae: Micronetinae) comprising 57 species distributed across Asia and North America. The genus was established by Chamberlin and Ivie in 1943, with A. fragilis designated as the type species. Species diversity is concentrated in Japan and Korea, with additional representatives in China, Mongolia, and North America. The genus is characterized by distinctive genital morphology, particularly elaborate epigynal scapes and male palpal structures.
Bright Lungless Spiders
Caponiidae is a family of ecribellate haplogyne spiders distinguished by several unusual morphological traits. Members lack book lungs, instead respiring through tracheae. The posterior median spinnerets are anteriorly displaced, forming a transverse row with the anterior lateral spinnerets—a unique arrangement among spiders. Most species possess only two eyes, though eye number varies remarkably within the family, with some species having four, six, or eight eyes; in certain species, eye number increases through ontogeny. The family comprises 21 genera and approximately 157 species, predominantly distributed in the Americas and Africa.
Long-legged Sac Spiders
Cheiracanthiidae is a family of araneomorph spiders established by Wagner in 1887, with priority over the synonym Eutichuridae. The family contains approximately 15 genera and 385 species as of 2026, with Cheiracanthium being the largest and most species-rich genus. Members are commonly known as long-legged sac spiders. The family's phylogenetic placement has been historically contested, having been assigned to Clubionidae, Miturgidae, and Eutichuridae before recognition as a distinct family. Molecular analyses indicate Cheiracanthium is paraphyletic, with divergence estimated at 67 million years ago.
corinnid sac spiders, ground and ant-mimic sac spiders
Corinnidae is a family of araneomorph spiders comprising over 800 species in 71+ genera worldwide. Formerly part of the catch-all family Clubionidae, the group was redefined in 2014 to include only subfamilies Corinninae and Castianeirinae. Members are wandering predators that construct silken sac retreats, with many genera exhibiting ant-mimicry as a defensive strategy. The family includes notable ant-mimicking genera such as Castianeira, Myrmecotypus, Mazax, and Myrmecium.
coneweb spiders, desertshrub spiders
The Diguetidae are a small family of haplogyne spiders commonly known as coneweb or desertshrub spiders. They are endemic to the New World and primarily associated with arid and desert environments. Members construct distinctive webs featuring a horizontal sheet with a central tubular retreat, often camouflaged with plant debris. The family contains only two genera and approximately 15 species, with the genus Diguetia being the sole representative in North America. These spiders are considered relatively primitive among araneomorphs due to their unmodified female genitalia and simple male pedipalps.
dwarf spiders
Entelecara is a genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1884. The genus contains 21 described species distributed across North America, Europe, Russia, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan, and North Africa. Species within this genus are small-bodied spiders, consistent with the dwarf spider morphology characteristic of Linyphiidae. The type species is Entelecara acuminata.
dwarf spiders, money spiders
Erigoninae is the largest subfamily of Linyphiidae (sheet-web weavers), itself the second largest spider family. These minute spiders are commonly called dwarf spiders in the United States and money spiders in England. The subfamily contains over 2,000 described species, making it the most numerous group within the sheet-web weavers. Many species inhabit leaf litter and construct small sheet webs, while others occupy diverse terrestrial habitats from coastal dunes to alpine timberlines.
Escaphiella is a genus of dwarf goblin spiders in the family Oonopidae, established in 2009 by arachnologists Norman Platnick and Nadine Dupérré. The genus contains 36 described species distributed across the Americas, from the southwestern United States through Mexico, Central America, and into South America. Most species were described in the original 2009 revision, though some were transferred from other genera based on newly recognized morphological characters.
Bowl and Doily Spiders
Frontinella is a genus of dwarf spiders in the family Linyphiidae, first described by F. O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1902. The genus contains nine described species distributed across China, El Salvador, Mexico, and the United States. The best-known member, F. communis (formerly F. pyramitela), is recognized by its distinctive bowl-and-doily web architecture. These spiders are small-bodied, with mature females measuring 3–4 mm. Some species exhibit behavioral thermoregulation through solar orientation and cohabitation behavior between males and females.
Ground spiders, Stealthy Ground Spiders
Ground spiders (family Gnaphosidae) comprise nearly 2,000 described species in over 100 genera, making them the seventh-largest spider family worldwide. They are characterized by cylindrical spinnerets at the tip of the abdomen, often described as 'showerhead-like' with multiple orifices for silk extrusion. Most species are nomadic hunters that do not construct webs to capture prey, instead prowling through leaf litter, ground cover, and vegetation. Many are agile climbers and can be found on foliage, walls, and tree trunks. The family includes notable genera such as Sergiolus, Herpyllus, Gnaphosa, and Zelotes.
comb-tailed spiders, dwarf sheet spiders
Hahnia is the most species-rich genus of the comb-tailed spider family Hahniidae, with approximately 102 valid species distributed worldwide. These spiders are small, cryptic arachnids characterized by their distinctive spinneret arrangement. Most species are under 4 mm in body length as adults. The genus was established by C. L. Koch in 1841 and was formerly classified within Agelenidae until recognized as a distinct family. Species occur across diverse habitats including caves, forest litter, and under bark.
Heteroonops is a genus of goblin spiders (family Oonopidae) described by Dalmas in 1916. The genus contains approximately 25 species as of 2021. These spiders are part of the diverse Oonopidae family, which are characterized by their small size and compact body form. Members of this genus are found in various regions, with distribution records including Denmark.
Lampshade Spiders
Hypochilidae is an ancient and relict family of true spiders (Araneae) containing two genera: Hypochilus (11 species, North America) and Ectatosticta (22 species, Asia). The family originated in the Late Jurassic and exhibits a classic inter-continental disjunct distribution. These spiders are considered among the most primitive of araneomorphs, retaining plesiomorphic traits including two pairs of book lungs in most species. They are microhabitat specialists with naturally small geographic distributions and low vagility, making them important subjects for conservation and biogeographic research.
North American lampshade spiders
Hypochilus is a genus of North American lampshade spiders (family Hypochilidae) comprising eleven described species, all endemic to the United States. The genus is a relictual lineage with a disjunct distribution across three montane regions: California, the southern Rocky Mountains, and the southern Appalachia. Hypochilus species exhibit extreme genetic divergence coupled with striking morphological conservatism, creating persistent challenges for species delimitation. These spiders are textbook examples of short-range endemics with naturally small geographic ranges and strict microhabitat specialization.
Recluse Spiders, Brown Spiders, Fiddle-backs, Violin Spiders, Reapers
Loxosceles is a genus of venomous spiders in the family Sicariidae, comprising approximately 149 species of cryptic, reclusive, nocturnal arachnids. These spiders are characterized by their six eyes arranged in three pairs, a distinctive violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax in many species, and cytotoxic venom that can cause necrotic lesions in some bite victims. The genus has a primarily neotropical distribution, with significant diversity in Brazil and the southwestern United States, though some species have been introduced to other regions through human activity.
dwarf cobweb weaver spiders
Microdipoena is a genus of minute cobweb-weaving spiders in the family Mysmenidae. First described by Nathan Banks in 1895, it contains 21 species as of 2025. The genus has a nearly worldwide distribution, being absent only from Antarctica. Members are among the smallest spiders, typically inhabiting leaf litter and ground-level vegetation.
Prowling Spiders
Miturgidae is a family of araneomorph spiders commonly known as prowling spiders. The family includes approximately 160-200 species across 33 genera worldwide. Members are small to medium-sized, active hunters that do not construct permanent webs for prey capture. The family has undergone substantial taxonomic revision, with the former family Zoridae synonymized and the genus Cheiracanthium (longlegged sac spiders) transferred to the separate family Cheiracanthiidae.
Mygalomorphs, Orthognatha
Mygalomorphae is one of three major lineages of living spiders, comprising over 3,000 species across 32 families. Members include tarantulas, trapdoor spiders, and Australian funnel-web spiders. They are characterized by downward-pointing chelicerae, two pairs of book lungs, and often large body sizes with exceptional longevity—some individuals live 25 years or more. The group exhibits remarkable morphological conservatism across its global distribution.
dwarf sheet spiders
Neoantistea is a genus of dwarf sheet spiders in the family Hahniidae, established by Willis J. Gertsch in 1934. The genus contains approximately 25 species distributed across North America, Mexico, and parts of Asia. These spiders are characterized by their small size, with most adults under 4 mm in body length. Neoantistea is notable within the Hahniinae for being one of the few genera that constructs webs, unlike related genera such as Hahnia and Antistea.
Neopisinus is a genus of comb-footed spiders in the family Theridiidae, established in 2011 to accommodate species previously placed in other genera. The genus contains nine species distributed across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America and the Caribbean to South America. Two species, N. fiapo and N. urucu, were described as new in the original genus description. The type species is Neopisinus fiapo.
Neottiura Cobweb Spiders
Neottiura is a genus of comb-footed spiders (family Theridiidae) first described by Anton Menge in 1868. The genus contains six species and one subspecies distributed across Asia, Europe, North America, and North Africa. Members are small cobweb spiders that construct irregular, tangled webs. The type species, Neottiura bimaculata, has the widest distribution, spanning from North America across Eurasia to Japan.
Thin-legged Wolf Spiders
Pardosa is a large genus of wolf spiders comprising over 500 described species with worldwide distribution except Australia. These spiders are generally small to medium-sized (3–12 mm body length), characterized by long, thin legs with prominent perpendicular spines. They occupy diverse habitats including wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, and high-elevation environments. Many species exhibit sexual dimorphism in coloration, with mature males often displaying distinct patterns from females. Species identification requires microscopic examination of genitalia.
Running Crab Spiders, Philodromid Crab Spiders
Philodromidae is a family of araneomorph spiders comprising over 530 species across 31 genera. Members are commonly called running crab spiders or philodromid crab spiders due to their crab-like appearance and sideways-oriented legs. Unlike true crab spiders (Thomisidae), philodromids do not construct webs for prey capture but instead hunt by ambush. They are primarily associated with vegetation, where they occur on stems, leaves, and tree trunks.
Running Crab Spiders
Philodromus is a large genus of running crab spiders in the family Philodromidae, comprising over 200 described species worldwide. Members are characterized by a distinctly flattened body and laterigrade legs—oriented horizontally rather than vertically—that enable sideways movement. Unlike typical crab spiders (Thomisinae), Philodromus species lack heavy bodies and prominent eye tubercles, instead possessing lithe, smooth bodies with slender, nearly equal-length legs. They are active predators of woody plants and are frequently encountered on vertical surfaces including building walls.
cellar spiders, daddy long-legs spiders, carpenter spiders, vibrating spiders, gyrating spiders
Pholcidae is a large family of araneomorph spiders containing over 2,000 species across 94+ genera. Members are commonly known as cellar spiders or daddy long-legs spiders due to their extremely long, thin legs and tendency to inhabit dark, undisturbed spaces. The family exhibits remarkable diversity in habitat use, from caves and tropical forests to human dwellings, with some species showing specialized adaptations including troglomorphism and communal web-sharing. Several species have become globally distributed through human transport, notably Pholcus phalangioides.
Guardstone Spiders
Phrurolithidae is a family of araneomorph spiders commonly known as guardstone spiders. First described by Nathan Banks in 1892, the family was long treated as a subfamily (Phrurolithinae) within Corinnidae until phylogenetic studies established its separate family status. The family currently comprises 27 genera and approximately 421 species. Members are small to medium-sized spiders, predominantly found in the Northern Hemisphere with exceptional diversity in southern China, where many species are endemic to specific mountain localities.
pirate wolf spiders
Pirata is a genus of wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) commonly known as pirate wolf spiders. These spiders are characterized by their association with moist habitats and distinctive eye arrangement typical of lycosids. The genus was established by Sundevall in 1833 and contains multiple species distributed across North America and Eurasia. Pirata species are active hunters that do not build permanent webs for prey capture.
Nursery Web Spiders, Fishing Spiders
Pisauridae is a moderately diverse family of hunting spiders comprising approximately 333 described species worldwide. Members exhibit exceptional behavioral diversity, ranging from web-based hunters and water surface hunters to ambush hunters in vegetation. The family is best known for the distinctive 'nursery web' behavior: females carry egg sacs with their jaws and pedipalps (not spinnerets), then construct protective silk tents for emerging spiderlings, which they guard until dispersal. The European species Pisaura mirabilis is the namesake 'nursery web spider,' though the family includes fishing spiders (Dolomedes), semi-aquatic specialists, and strictly terrestrial forms.
Praestigia is a genus of sheet-weaving spiders (family Linyphiidae) described by Alfred Frank Millidge in 1954. The genus is distinguished by a unique male cephalic projection bearing a detachable cap composed of interconnected fibers bound with a waxy substance. Eight species are recognized, distributed across boreal and arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The etymology combines Latin 'prae' (before/in front) and Greek 'stigios' (awl), referencing this distinctive projection.
striped orb-weavers
Singa is a genus of small orb-weaver spiders in the family Araneidae, commonly known as striped orb-weavers. First described by C. L. Koch in 1836, these spiders are diminutive for orb-weavers, with body lengths typically not exceeding 6 millimetres. The genus is characterized by its distinctive striped patterning and classic orb-web construction.
Huntsman spiders, Giant crab spiders, Wood spiders
Sparassidae, commonly known as huntsman spiders or giant crab spiders, comprises a family of large, fast-moving araneomorph spiders distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Members are characterized by laterigrade legs—oriented horizontally to the body—that enable them to navigate narrow crevices and vertical surfaces with ease. The family includes both solitary and social species, with some genera exhibiting prolonged subsociality where females share retreats with multiple generations of offspring for extended periods. Several species are known to occasionally appear in temperate regions through human commerce, particularly in banana shipments.
False Widow Spiders, Cupboard Spiders
Steatoda is a genus of cobweb spiders in the family Theridiidae containing approximately 120 recognized species with worldwide distribution. Many species are synanthropic, commonly found in human dwellings, sheds, garages, and undisturbed corners. Members are frequently mistaken for widow spiders (Latrodectus) due to similar body shape and web structure, earning them the common name "false widows," though they are significantly less harmful to humans. The genus includes both native and invasive species, with Steatoda nobilis (Noble False Widow) being particularly notable for its rapid range expansion in Europe and North America.
prowling spiders
Syspira is a genus of prowling spiders in the family Miturgidae, first described by Simon in 1895. These active, nocturnal hunters are characterized by their leggy appearance and body lengths of 10–18 mm. The genus occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, with highest diversity in western North America. Taxonomic revision is ongoing, with species historically placed in Clubionidae and some specimens of S. pallida potentially belonging to the unrelated genus Zorocrates.
Talanites is a genus of ground spiders in the family Gnaphosidae, established by Eugène Simon in 1893. The genus contains fifteen described species distributed across arid and semi-arid regions of North America, the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and South Asia. Members are ground-dwelling hunters with a flattened body form typical of the family. The genus shows a disjunct distribution pattern with species in both the New World and Old World.
Long-jawed Orb Weavers, Long-jawed Orbweavers
Long-jawed orb weavers are a family of spiders characterized by elongated bodies, long legs, and often extraordinarily long chelicerae (jaws). Most species construct orb webs in a horizontal or near-horizontal plane, distinguishing them from the vertical webs typical of Araneidae. The family includes diverse ecological specialists: meadow-dwelling species that camouflage as grass stems, riparian species that build webs over water, and cave-dwelling species adapted to dimly lit environments. Some species exhibit social behavior, forming communal webs spanning extensive areas.
Titanoeca is a genus of cribellate-web spiders in the family Titanoecidae, established by Thorell in 1870. The genus comprises 31 species as of January 2026, distributed primarily across Eurasia with notable exceptions: three species endemic to North America (T. americana, T. brunnea, T. nigrella), one holarctic species (T. nivalis), and one Ecuadorian endemic (T. guayaquilensis). Members construct cribellate webs and exhibit conditional foraging behavior.
Verrucosa is a genus of New World orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) first described by Henry McCook in 1888. The genus contains approximately forty-five described species, with the vast majority distributed in South America. A single species, Verrucosa arenata (the arrowhead spider), occurs in the United States, ranging from the eastern USA through Panama and into the Greater Antilles. The genus exhibits a predominantly Neotropical distribution pattern.
dwarf spiders
Walckenaeria is a genus of dwarf spiders in the family Linyphiidae, first described by John Blackwall in 1833. The genus contains approximately 195-198 species as of 2020, distributed across multiple continents. Males in this genus exhibit distinctive eye morphology, with some species having eyes elevated on mounds, turrets, or stalks that can exceed the height of the carapace. Walckenaeria is a senior synonym of several previously described genera including Paragonatium, Wideria, and Cornicularia.
Xeropigo is a genus of sac spiders in the family Corinnidae, first described by O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1882. The genus comprises 17 described species distributed across South America and the Caribbean, with the majority of species occurring in Brazil. Recent taxonomic revisions have significantly expanded the known diversity, with seven new species described from Brazil in 2016. The genus shows notable species richness in northeastern Brazilian states, particularly Piauí, Ceará, and Maranhão.
ground spider
Zelotes is a large genus of ground spiders in the family Gnaphosidae, with approximately 400 described species distributed worldwide. These small to medium-sized spiders (5-10 mm) are typically dark reddish brown to nearly black in color. They are characterized by distinctive eye arrangements and frequently display a pale patch on the inner surface of the first femur. The genus was first described by J. Gistel in 1848 and represents one of the most species-rich genera within the ground spider family.
Ant-eating Spiders, Ant Spiders
Zodariidae, commonly known as ant-eating spiders, is a family of small to medium-sized eight-eyed spiders found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate regions. The family comprises approximately 90 genera and 1,249 species, with the highest diversity in Australia. Members are predominantly ground-dwelling, free-living predators that do not construct webs for prey capture. Many species exhibit specialized ant-eating habits and aggressive mimicry, disguising themselves as ants to hunt their primary prey. The family has relatively few species in North America compared to other regions.
Zora is a genus of small to medium-sized spiders in the family Miturgidae. These entelegyne, ecribellate spiders are characterized by two claws with claw tufts, distinct longitudinal bands on the cephalothorax, an 4-2-2 eye arrangement, and long overlapping spines on the first two tibiae and metatarsi. The genus contains 17 described species with abdomens showing distinct color patterns useful for species identification. The genus was established by C. L. Koch in 1847 and has historically been placed in the family Zoridae, though modern classifications assign it to Miturgidae.
False Wolf Spiders
Zoropsidae, commonly known as false wolf spiders, is a family of cribellate araneomorph spiders first described by Philipp Bertkau in 1882. The family includes approximately 180 species across 28 genera as of 2026. Members are wandering spiders that bear superficial resemblance to wolf spiders (Lycosidae) but are distinguished by their eye arrangement. The family has undergone taxonomic revision, with Tengellidae and Zorocratidae now included within Zoropsidae. One species, Zoropsis spinimana, has been introduced to the United States.