3 Biggest Spiders in Connecticut

Written by Emilio Brown
Updated: August 25, 2022
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In Connecticut, around 550 species of spiders live in the state. Spiders live in almost every habitat, and some even commonly build their webs inside homes and other buildings.

The months from spring to fall are when most spiders are active, and during this period, you can find spiders of all sizes in Connecticut. There are no tarantulas in Connecticut, but you should look out for plenty of big spiders. Spiders come in many shapes, colors, and sizes, but here you will learn about the 3 biggest spiders in Connecticut

How Do You Measure A Spider?  

Spiders are usually measured by their body size and leg span. The gender and species of a spider determine how large it can get. Females tend to grow larger than males and have more robust bodies, and males may have longer legs than females since they spend their time roaming.

Let’s look at the 3 biggest spiders in Connecticut, which are just a few of the spiders you may come across. 

1. Black and Yellow Garden Spiders 

The black and yellow garden spider is a common sight throughout much of the United States

©iStock.com/AwakenedEye

The black and yellow garden spider is a member of the orb weaver family living in Connecticut and North America. Females of this species are the biggest of all orb weavers in Connecticut and have a body size that ranges from 0.75 to 1.1 inches. Their legs are long and spindly, spanning up to 3 inches. This spider has black and yellow coloring, with a silver cephalothorax. Males of this species are much smaller than females and have a body size of around 0.2 to 0.35 inches

Vegetated areas are where this spider lives, in places such as gardens, meadows, and grasslands. Black and yellow garden spiders build large webs up to two feet in diameter, used to catch insects to feed on. Down the center of their web is a zig-zag pattern that is believed to help prevent birds from crashing into the spider’s web. 

While this spider has vibrant coloring, this species is harmless to humans. This species is a benefit in gardens and agriculture fields, as it feeds on various flying insects that may damage crops. 

2. Dark Fishing Spider 

dark fishing spider

The dark fishing spider can run across the surface of water or dive into the water to catch prey

©iStock.com/JasonOndreicka

A widespread species in the United States, dark fishing spiders are one of the largest species in Connecticut. Fishing spiders are known for their ability to walk on water and can quickly move across a water’s surface. This spider may live near freshwater sources like ponds and lakes, but they are also common in forested habitats. 

Dark fishing spiders have a large leg span that stretches over 3 inches and large body size of around an inch. Dark fishing spiders have tan coloring, with dark bands covering their legs. They are often confused for wolf spiders due to their size. 

Active at night, this species spends its time wandering for food, feeding on other spiders, smaller frogs, and insects. 

3. Giant Wetland Wolf Spider 

You can often find wetland giant wolf spiders in marshes or fields close to water

©Judy Gallagher / Creative Commons – License

Wolf spiders are some of the largest spiders you can come across, and the giant wetland wolf spiders are one of the biggest spiders in Connecticut. The body size of this species ranges from 0.39 to 1.2 inches large. This species has tan coloring, with a bold orange stripe running down its carapace. 

Woodlands, marshes, and grasslands are the habitats these large species live in. This large spider can be found throughout the northeastern United States. Giant wetland wolf spiders feed on invertebrates and use their venom to take out their prey. Active at night, this species hides in secluded areas like burrows or under debris during the day. 

Are Large Spiders Dangerous? 

Wolf spider

Spiders are only dangerous if they have venom medically significant to humans.

©Katarina Christenson/Shutterstock.com

Seeing a large spider can be frightening, but you should not be any more scared of them than the smaller ones. Spiders are only dangerous if they have venom that is medically significant to humans, and even a large species can be harmless if it does not have strong venom. 

The black widow is the only dangerous species in Connecticut and has venom potent only against humans. A spider bite is also potentially dangerous if someone gets bitten and is allergic to the venom. 

Most spiders you come across are not dangerous, and their bites are similar to or less than a bee sting. Even the largest spiders in Connecticut are not dangerous and should not be feared. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/CathyKeifer


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About the Author

Spiders, snakes, and lizards are my favorite types of animals, and I enjoy keeping some species as pets. I love learning about the various wonders nature has to offer and have been a writer for 5 years. In my spare time, you can find me getting out into nature.

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