Discover 6 Black Spiders Crawling Around Ohio… Are They Dangerous?

Written by Lev Baker
Updated: June 20, 2023
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The daring jumping spider is adaptable and resides in various environments such as grasslands, forests, gardens, and urban areas.

Ohio is home to an enchanting and diverse range of black spiders. Although they may be scary at first glance, these remarkable creatures serve a crucial function in the state’s ecosystems. They significantly contribute to the intricate balance of nature. Their menacing features may look dangerous, but not all black spiders in Ohio pose a threat to humans.

In this article, we’ll examine and get to know these creatures. And we’ll learn which of these spiders are actually dangerous! Let’s delve into the world of black spiders in Ohio!

Black Lace Weaver (Amaurobius ferox)

black lace weaver spider - on black background

The black lace weaver is a proficient and agile predator. Its core sustenance is derived from various small insects, such as flies and beetles.

©IanJHall/Shutterstock.com

The black lace weaver spider may be the blackest of all black spiders in Ohio. And it emerges as a particularly intriguing spider. The black lace weaver is named for its striking visual appeal. It boasts an elegant, jet-black body that reflects when illuminated. The spider is slender, with an average leg span of 0.4 to 0.6 inches. Additionally, the Amaurobius ferox has a distinct geometric pattern on its dorsal abdomen. This design often resembles a lacework of fine lines and shapes. It provides natural camouflage.

The black lace weaver is a proficient and agile predator. Its core sustenance is derived from various small insects, such as flies, beetles, and other arthropods. Utilizing its advanced predatory instincts and the delicate but deadly trap of its web, the spider ensnares its unsuspecting victims. Many spiders rely on vibration to detect prey. However, the black lace weaver primarily relies on its acute eyesight to identify potential victims. Once a suitable target is detected, the spider swiftly immobilizes it with a venomous bite. This toxic substance liquefies the internal tissues, allowing for easier consumption.

The black lace weaver tends to find its home in secluded, poorly lit spaces. This elusive species typically seeks shelter in narrow crevices, hidden openings, and under stones. They claim territories within dense forests, underground caves, and craggy rock outcrops. The black lace weaver prefers cool, damp habitats.

The black lace weaver presents a compelling combination of both individualistic and social tendencies. While it is predominantly a solitary creature, it may collaborate with fellow species members, forming modestly sized communities. Furthermore, this spider creates intricate webs, methodically engineering maze-like structures that double as both a hunting ground and a sanctuary. This unique blend of skills contributes to the spider’s survival in diverse ecosystems.

Is the Black Lace Weaver Dangerous?

The black lace weaver spider is generally non-aggressive and poses minimal danger to humans. While it possesses venom to subdue its prey, its venom is not potent enough to cause significant harm to humans. Bites from the black lace weaver are rare and typically occur when the spider feels threatened or cornered.

Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)

Argiope aurantia, yellow garden spider

The spider strategically positions itself at the center of the web, awaiting vibrations from potential prey.

©iStock.com/AwakenedEye

The black and yellow garden spider has a striking combination of jet black and vibrant yellow hues, creating a visually stunning contrast that is hard to overlook. In fact, it may be the prettiest of all the black spiders in Ohio. Females are significantly larger than the males and boast a body length ranging from 0.75 to 1.5 inches (2 to 4 cm).

This arachnid is a skilled predator. It primarily feeds on insects, including flies, bees, grasshoppers, and even smaller spiders. The spider strategically positions itself at the center of the web, awaiting vibrations from potential prey. Once an insect becomes entangled, the black and yellow garden spider swiftly immobilizes it with a venomous bite and then wraps it in silk for later consumption.

The black and yellow garden spider thrives in sunny areas with abundant vegetation. Gardens, fields, and meadows provide the perfect backdrop for this spider to spin its impressive orb-shaped webs. With a preference for open spaces, it weaves its webs between branches, plants, or any available structure.

The females feature iconic zigzag-shaped patterns, a unique feature woven into their webs, which serves various functions, including signaling to potential mates and deterring larger predators.

Is the Black and Yellow Garden Spider Dangerous?

Despite its formidable appearance, the black and yellow garden spider is not dangerous to humans. Like most orb-weaver spiders, it possesses venom designed to immobilize and digest its prey. However, this venom is not harmful to humans and does not cause significant health concerns. Furthermore, the black and yellow garden spider is generally non-aggressive and will retreat or remain motionless when approached or disturbed by humans. Bites from these spiders are extremely rare.

Eastern Parson Spider (Herpyllus ecclesiasticus)

The eastern parson spider is quite adaptable and makes its home in various habitats.

©Fyn Kynd from Searsmont, Maine, United States / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License

The eastern parson spider sports a typically dark brown or black hue, offset by light-colored markings and unique stripe patterns adorning its abdomen. With a body length of around half an inch, this spider has an elongated and slender profile.

This arachnid exhibits opportunistic predatory behavior. It sustains itself on a variety of insects, such as flies, ants, beetles, and additional arthropods. The spider’s hunting approach involves stalking its prey and seizing it with remarkable speed and precision, leveraging its quick reflexes to procure meals.

Interestingly, the eastern parson spider does not spin webs to catch prey. Instead, it uses it for shelter during the daylight hours. Unlike web-building spiders, this spider relies on its keen eyesight and quick reflexes to locate and capture its victims.

The eastern parson spider is quite adaptable and makes its home in various habitats. It inhabits diverse environments, from forests and grasslands to gardens and human-made structures. The spider seeks refuge in shaded, secluded spots, like beneath stones, amidst leaf litter, or within crevices.

Is the Eastern Parson Spider Dangerous?

Despite its venomous nature, the eastern parson spider is typically non-aggressive towards humans and prefers to retreat when encountered. However, while it doesn’t display aggressive behavior, it might bite if it feels threatened or cornered, though its venom poses minimal risk to humans. Nevertheless, as with any creature, you should keep a respectful distance to avoid any unnecessary encounters or surprises.

Daring Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax)

This spider has large, forward-facing eyes, which help it to identify prey.

©iStock.com/JWJarrett

The daring jumping spider is another captivating black spider found in Ohio. This spider’s appearance is marked by its compact and robust body, adorned with velvety black tones and patterns of iridescent green, blue, or red. It is a relatively small spider, with a length ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 inches or 0.8 to 1.3 centimeters. This spider has large, forward-facing eyes, which help it to identify prey.

This arachnid is an opportunistic predator, targeting a wide range of small insects, including flies, beetles, and smaller arthropods. Its hunting technique involves stealthily stalking and swiftly pouncing upon unsuspecting prey, showcasing remarkable precision and lightning-quick reflexes that earned it the name of an experienced jumper.

As for habitat, the daring jumping spider is adaptable and resides in various environments such as grasslands, forests, gardens, and urban areas. It seeks refuge among foliage, crevices, or under rocks, skillfully utilizing natural camouflage to blend into its surroundings seamlessly.

The daring jumping spider is bold and inquisitive. It actively explores its territory, showcasing exceptional agility and acrobatic prowess. With remarkable eyesight and an impressive ability to gauge distances, this spider can effortlessly leap significant distances to capture prey or evade potential threats.

The daring jumping spider is renowned for its elaborate courtship rituals. Males engage in intricate displays, dancing to woo potential mates. Once courtship is successful, the female constructs a silk nest to lay her eggs, guarding them until they hatch.

Is the Daring Jumping Spider Dangerous?

The daring jumping spider is generally harmless to humans. Despite its agility and predatory nature, it poses no significant threat or danger to human health. Jumping spiders do possess venom for subduing their prey, but their venom is not potent enough to cause harm to humans.

Northern Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus variolus)

Northern black widow, Latrodectus variolus

This arachnid is known to be an impressive predator, primarily preying on a diverse array of small insects.

©iStock.com/NajaShots

The northern black widow spider is a creature of intrigue and caution that simultaneously captivates and instills fear in humans. Boasting a sleek and lustrous jet-black exoskeleton, it has a distinctive red or orange hourglass-shaped pattern on the ventral side of its abdomen. Females are larger than males, measuring about half an inch in length.

This arachnid is an impressive predator, primarily preying on a diverse array of small insects, such as flies, mosquitoes, and beetles. Utilizing its potent venom, the northern black widow spider seizes its prey by entangling them in its sturdy and sticky web. Once trapped, the spider immobilizes its prey with a venomous bite and wraps it in silk for later consumption.

The northern black widow spider tends to live in secluded and shadowy habitats ranging from woodpiles, garages, and sheds to undisturbed outdoor areas with ample vegetation.

When males reach sexual maturity, usually during late summer or early fall, they actively search for receptive females to mate with. Mating usually takes place within the female’s web, where the male deposits a sperm-containing structure called a spermatophore. The female then retrieves the spermatophore, allowing fertilization to occur internally.

Following mating, the male spider must flee immediately because the northern black widow may cannibalize the male for its nutrients. This is where the black widow gets its name.

Is the Northern Black Widow Spider Dangerous?

Generally speaking, the northern black widow spider demonstrates a reclusive and non-aggressive temperament, preferring to withdraw from potential threats rather than engage in confrontations. However, if cornered or feeling threatened, the female may bite in self-defense, particularly in certain situations. The female spider’s venom is filled with potent neurotoxins capable of affecting the nervous system and causing significant discomfort or even severe symptoms in extreme cases.

Symptoms of a bite from a northern black widow spider may include localized pain, swelling, redness, and muscle cramps in the affected area. Other symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Individual reactions can vary, and some people may be more sensitive to the spider’s venom than others.

If bitten by a northern black widow, seek medical attention immediately. Prompt treatment can help manage symptoms and mitigate any potential complications. Anti-venom may be administered in severe cases, depending on the individual’s response to the bite and the recommendation of healthcare professionals.

Southern Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans)

Southern Black Widow - Black Spiders in Florida

This spider is primarily nocturnal and remains hidden during the day. It constructs irregular, tangled webs in which it captures prey.

©Jeff W. Jarrett/Shutterstock.com

Of all black spiders in Ohio, the southern black widow may be the most notorious. It has a shiny black body and a prominent red hourglass-shaped marking on its ventral side. As with most other spider species, the female southern black widow spider is larger than the male, ranging from 0.4 to 0.7 inches in length. Males, on the other hand, are around half the size and do not have the striking and distinctive red hourglass marking.

The southern black widow spider’s diet and predatory nature help keep the population of small insects and arthropods in check, balancing the ecosystem and maintaining a healthy environment. Their feeding habits also contribute to pest control, as they consume insects considered nuisances by humans. These spiders generally feed on beetles, flies, ants, and grasshoppers.

The southern black widow spider is predominantly found in the Southeastern United States, but its range extends from the Gulf Coast up to parts of the Midwest and Northeast. It is well-adapted to various habitats, including woodlands, forests, shrublands, and human-altered environments. Southern black widows generally inhabit secluded areas such as woodpiles, sheds, or outdoor structures.

This spider is primarily nocturnal and remains hidden during the day. It constructs irregular, tangled webs in which it captures prey. These webs are generally positioned close to the ground, where they can easily capture their prey.

Is the Southern Black Widow Spider Dangerous?

Despite their fearsome reputation, the southern black widow spider typically avoids human interaction. Its non-aggressive nature means it is often more afraid of humans than we are of it. However, the potential health risks associated with the spider’s bite mean that respect and distance are advisable when encountering these creatures. Their venom, while rarely life-threatening to healthy adults, can cause severe pain and other severe symptoms.

Summary of Black Spiders in Ohio

NumberSpiderColorDangerous
1Black Lace WeaverBlackNo
2Black and Yellow Garden SpiderBlack, YellowNo
3Eastern Parson SpiderBlack, BrownNo
4Daring Jumping SpiderBlackNo
5Northern Black Widow SpiderBlack, RedYes
6Southern Black Widow SpiderBlackYes

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Federico.Crovetto/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Lev is a writer at AZ Animals who primarily covers topics on animals, geography, and plants. He has been writing for more than 4 years and loves researching topics and learning new things. His three biggest loves in the world are music, travel, and animals. He has his diving license and loves sea creatures. His favorite animal in the world is the manta ray.

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