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Types of Brown Striped Spiders

Spiders belong to the Araneae order of Arachnids. Spiders have four pairs of legs, segmented or unsegmented abdomens and no antennae. Male spiders are typically smaller than females. Most spider species are nocturnal and primarily feed on insects. There are thousands of species of spiders, including mouse spiders, wolf spiders, redback spiders, black house spiders and net-casting spiders. Some spiders can be identified by the brown stripes on their bodies.

Funnel-Web Spiders
- The funnel-web spider is a common outdoor spider. Its color varies from light brown to gray and it has characteristic dark stripes near its head. The funnel-web grass spider belongs to the Agelenidae family of the class Arachnida. It is typically less than 1-inch long, not accounting for the length of its legs. The spider forms a sheet-like, horizontal web with a funnel-like tube on one side. This funnel is used by the spider for protection and hunting. The funnel-web spider is nocturnal, annual and feeds mainly on insects. There are more than 400 species of funnel-web spiders in North America.
Rabid Wolf Spider
- The rabid wolf spider (Rabidosa rabida) is characterized by two brown stripes on its front body (cephalothorax) and one dark brown stripe surrounded by two pale stripes on its abdomen. The size of the spider ranges from half an inch to an inch. The rabid wolf spider is nocturnal. Its stripes allow it to camouflage in the barks of trees and dead leaves. The rabid wolf spider feeds on insects, such as black carpenter ants, horned fungus beetles, Chinese mantids, fungus gnats, dogwood borer, giant willow aphids and buffalo treehoppers. It is commonly found in meadows, forests and woods.
Nursery Web Spider
- The nursery web spider (Pisaurina mira) belongs to the family Pisauridae. It is marked with brown or black stripes or patterns. The nursery web spider is similar in appearance to the wolf spiders. It feeds on small forest creatures, including spiders, worms and insects. Most species are active hunters, while others are ambush predators. Nursery web spiders are commonly found near creeks, streams, meadows and forests.
Venusta Orchard Spiders
- The venusta orchard spider (Leucauge venusta) belongs to the Tetragnathidae family. Its size varies between 3 millimeters to 8 millimeters. The venusta orchard spider has a greenish yellow cephalothorax marked with brown stripes along its side. Its abdomen is silver with dark stripes, and its sides are yellow with a red spot. The spider feeds on small insects and forms horizontal webs in trees or shrubs. Venusta orchard spiders are common to shrubby meadows and the edges of woodlands.

Insects & Science