Spiders That Are Native to Central Texas

The Brown Recluse Spider

• A relatively small spider, measuring up to three-quarters of an inch, the brown recluse has a feared reputation due to its highly toxic venom. It is found in various parts of the United States. Five species can be found in Texas. It can sometimes be found in the home, but most frequently dwells outdoors, hidden in crevices and wood piles. The spider is light or dark brown and has a distinctive violin-like pattern that runs from the cephalothroax to the abdomen, thus giving the brown recluse the nickname of fiddleback spider, violin spider or brown fiddler. The spider is not aggressive by nature and usually flees when threatened, but if handled accidentally or deliberately it may bite to defend itself. The bite is not normally felt, but the venom injected may cause the tissue around the bite to die. Although the bite is usually not severe, it should be medically treated to prevent further tissue damage.

Southern House Spider

• The southern house spider is a common spider seen in central Texas and other parts of the state. It is frequently seen in the home, weaving its web in the corners of rooms where it waits for prey such as flies, mosquitoes and other spiders. This spider is slightly larger than a brown recluse and does not have the violin pattern on its back, but due to its brown color, it is often mistaken as as a recluse. The male of the species hunts and the female weaves webs and sits and waits for prey. Unlike the brown recluse, this spider is not venomous.

The Black Widow Spider

• A few species of black widow spiders live in Texas, including central Texas, where they are native. The adult widows measure up to 1.5 inches on average, while the males are smaller. The classic color and pattern for the black widow is black with a red, hour-glass-shaped pattern on the underside, but the species vary considerably. The ones found in central Texas may have colorful spots and irregular, colored markings on top of the abdomen. The body may be a lighter brown, but the shape is always the same. It is a non-aggressive spider that only bites when handled. The bite may become painful and produce serious side effects, so it is necessary to get medical treatment immediately.

Other Spiders of Central Texas

• Other common spiders reside in central Texas. The tarantula is a large spider that lives in burrows. The wolf spider is a solitary hunter that mostly lives outdoors, but is occasionally found in homes. There are various species of jumping spiders, the most common of which is the phidippus audax, which is black with an orange-white spot on its back. It is found in gardens and around homes.