Scientists classify spiders as predators—animals that eat other animals. A lot of the spiders that are generally encountered are very small and inconspicuous, so it is hard to realize how common they are. There are 37,000 types of spiders in the world and over 520 species in Ohio alone. There are spiders of all sizes, colors and species in Ohio.
Ground spiders are flat-bellied spiders that are very prominent in Ohio and of the ground spiders found there, two species fall within the ground spiders category: the Micaria pulicaria and the Urozelotes rusticus, both black spiders. Both of these spiders belong to the Gnaphosidae family. The Gnaphosidae spiders can be reddish, brown, gray, striped or black.
Hacklemesh Weaver spiders are spiders prominent in Ohio. These spiders belong to the Callobius family, a spider genus in the Amaurobiidae family. Hacklemesh Weaver spiders are also known as “tangled nest spiders,” or “night spiders.” These spiders are of medium size and look similar to the funnel weavers. Hacklemesh Weavers can appear brown, black and reddish.
Cobweb weavers belong to the Theridiidae family and have a body shape like the black widow and round, shiny abdomens. Most cobweb weavers are not dangerous. These spiders are common in Ohio and are found where their cobwebs are supported the most. The cobweb weavers hang upside down in the web and are important predators in all ecosystems. These spiders can appear to be a golden yellow, black, reddish, copper or tan in color.
The barn funnel weaver, or the Tegenaria domestica is a common spider in Ohio and is red-brown with a pale-yellow covering of hairs. The abdomen has a pinkish and pale flesh color with gray to black patches. These spiders are reported to be able to live for as long as seven years. Funnel weavers can be found in structures during any time of the year. Typically, the males are found on the web with the female from May through July, which is mating season. Though these spiders do bite, there are no known reports about adverse reactions to their bites.
Sac Spiders are also prominent in Ohio and several species of these spiders are thought to be the causes of most indoor spider bites to humans. Sac spiders are also called Cheiracanthium and belong to the class Arachinda and the order Araneae. They belong to the Clubionidae family. Sac spiders are commonly light yellow to pale yellowish green, but sometimes have an orange-brown stripe on the abdomen.
