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Common Ghost Spiders in Wisconsin

Ghost spiders, from the Anyphaenidae family, are described by Berkeley BioKeys as "wandering" predators. They are 5 to 10 mm in length and are often seen protecting egg sacs on plants, or under rocks or debris. Although they are similar in appearance and derive from the same family as the "sac spider," they are not venomous. An interesting characteristic of the ghost spider, according to BugGuide.Net, is that the tracheal, a component of its respiratory system, is located much further in front of the spinnerets than most other spiders. GeoSpecies Knowledge identifies four species of ghost spider in Wisconsin: Anyphaena celer, Anyphaena pectorosa, Hibana gracilis and Wulfila saltabundus. Available research on the commonality and taxonomy of the Wulfila saltabundus and Anyphaena pectorosa, however, is scarce.

Anyphaena celer
- Distributed throughout the northeastern United States including Wisconsin, the Anyphaena celer species is psychrophilic, which means that it thrives in temperatures close to freezing. A report, "Spiders of the Family Anyphaenidae in Virginia," by Richard L. Hoffman, records surface activity among Anyphaena celer between the winter-fall period. It suggests that this sequential activity within ghost spiders enhances reproduction and resource sharing.
Hibana gracilis
- Also known as the garden ghost spider, in addition to Wisconsin it is distributed over an extensive range. It is yellow to white in color with longitudinal stripes along the carapace (its hard upper shell) and dark spots along its abdomen. According to BugGuide.Net, it is easy to identify because of its brown chelicerae, the appendages in front of the mouth.
Taxonomy and Habitat
- Ghost spiders have earned this common name because of the translucence of their bodies. They are also sometimes referred to as "buzzing" spiders, as a result of the drumming sound made by male spiders during mating rituals. Ghost spiders are nocturnal predators, feeding on insects. Similarly to sac spiders, ghost spiders spend the day nesting in cocoons, made from coiled leaves, which they mold together with silk.
Wisconsin Spiders
- In addition to the ghost spider, Wisconsin has a large variety of spider species. According to the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, 500 spider species have been discovered, but it estimates that there are probably 550 to 1,100 types of spiders. Due to their specificity of habitat types, many spiders in Wisconsin are threatened by loss of habitat due to human development.

Insects & Science