There are a variety of spiders that live in New Hampshire, and this article will cover 47 species that you may find. Spiders are one abundant animal in the world, with more than 45,000 different types worldwide.
In New Hampshire spiders of different species are active mostly in the months from spring to fall. Many live outdoors, but some may wander, or even make their way indoors regularly.
While most spiders are feared, only a select few species have venom that is actually medically significant. The vast majority of spiders are harmless, and bites from them vary from doing nothing to being similar to a bee sting.
Everywhere you look outside you can find a web of a spider, or maybe even one wandering around. Here are 47 spiders in New Hampshire, and what you should know about them.
Table of Contents
Spiders in New Hampshire
1. Fierce Orbweaver

- Experience Level: intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Araneus saevus
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 9 to 21 mm (0.35 to 0.82 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
The fierce orbweaver is one of the many orb-weaver species that live in New Hampshire.
This spider is common in the northern region of the US and is most active in the summer months. Females of this species create orb-shaped webs to live in, while males spend their time looking for a mate.
Fierce orbweavers are a robust species, with brown to black coloring. Humps appear on this spider’s abdomen, which has a lighter color on them.
Thick hairs cover this spider’s entire body, and they have white markings on them. Males of this species are slightly smaller than females.
The bite of the fierce orbweaver is harmless, but like other spiders, this species has venom that is used to kill small insect prey. They feed on the animals that get caught in their silk and ambush when they feel the vibrations in their web.
Fierce orbweaver live in moist vegetated habitats, and build their webs on things like porches, trees, and are active at night.
2. Hump-backed Orbweaver

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Eustala anastera
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 2 to 30 mm (0.07 to 1.18 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
The humped-back species is a small species named after the hump on the tip of its abdomen. The color of this spider varies from a light gray to mossy green color.
Dark and light markings appear on their abdomen. Humped-backed orb weavers live in woodland habitats and create circular webs. Hump-backed orb weavers are most active in the spring months.
Thick hairs cover the spider’s legs to help them sense the vibration of the world and their silk. Insects are the main food source for this species, and they feed on the ones that get caught in their silk.
Humped-backed orb weavers have venom that is used to paralyze their prey, but like all other orb-weaver species, their venom is not harmful to us. Birds, larger spiders, and parasitic larvae are this spider’s main predators.
3. Arabesque Orbweaver

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Neoscona arabesca
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 5 to 7 mm (0.19 to 0.27 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
The arabesque orbweaver is a species that gets its name from the swirling pattern that appears on its abdomen.
This species’ color may be yellow, tan, dark brown, orange, or rust. Their legs have dark bands on them and are covered in thick hairs. Males are slightly smaller than females but have longer legs.
Arabesque orbweavers are an extremely common species found in New Hampshire and across the United States. They live in circular webs, but only females create these webs. Males spend their time roaming around for mates, and feeding on insects they come across.
The summer and fall months are when this spider is most active. Fields, urban areas, and woodlands are some of the habitats this species lives in.
Highly vegetated places like gardens are where they are commonly found. Areas with lots of insect traffic will also attract this species.
4. European Garden Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Araneus diadematus
- Other Names: European garden spider, Pumpkin spider
- Adult Size: 5.5 to 20 mm (0.2 to 0.7 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
The European garden spider is also called the cross spider since it has a white cross pattern on its abdomen made of blotches.
This spider has tan coloring, with dark and light markings on them. Their abdomens are large, and they have spindly legs.
European garden spiders are a widespread species, found in New Hampshire and every other US state. This species lives in moist woodland areas. Females build large circular webs to live in, while males spend their time wandering around looking for a mate.
Insects like flies, moths, and mosquitoes are what this species eats. This spider is mostly active at night and will sit in the center of its web when it’s dusk out.
Harmless to humans, bites will be no more serious than that of a bee sting.
5. Marbled Orbweaver

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Araneus marmoreus
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 9 to 22 mm (0.35 to 0.86 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: $20
Marbled orb weavers live in New Hampshire, and are a common species throughout North America.
This spider’s range also includes Japan and Europe. Marbled orb weaver females build orb-shaped webs to live in, while males’ lives are spent wandering for food or a mate.
In vegetated areas with plants like tall grass, trees, and shrubs are where they build their web. Moisture is also needed by this species.
Marbled orb weavers have orange coloring, with a marbled pattern on their abdomen. Their legs have bands on them, and males have much smaller abdomens than females.
Small insects are what the marbled orb weavers eat, and they feed on the ones snared in their web. This spider uses venom to feed on its prey, but bites from this spider are harmless.
Wasps, birds, and larger spiders are what prey on this spider in the wild.
6. Shamrock Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Araneus trifolium
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 6 to 40 mm (0.2 to 1.57 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: $20
Found all across the United States, shamrock spiders are a very common spider that comes out in the summer and fall months. This species lives in webs built in vegetated areas.
Shamrock spiders have round abdomens and thick legs with dark bands on them. This spider is a very hairy species and is seen in various colors.
Black, white, orange, tan, and gray are some of the colors of spiders. This spider has white blotches on its back and is a medium-sized species.
The shamrock orbweaver feeds on small insects that get caught in its sticky silk. Shamrock spiders are harmless, and their bite is similar to that of a bee sting, but they don’t bite often.
7. Bridge Orbweaver

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Larinioides sclopetarius
- Other Names: Gray cross spider
- Adult Size: 8 to 14 mm (0.31 to 0.55 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Bridge orbweavers live in moist vegetated areas, and are a species with a range spread across North America and Europe. This spider is common near bodies of water, living near bridges and boats.
They build their web in areas with artificial lighting, since that also attracts insects. The bridge orbweaver builds webs to live in, and this spider is seen most often in the months of summer and fall.
This species has gray coloring and light-colored markings that appear on its rounded abdomen. Their legs have cream and dark brown bands on them. Males are smaller than females, but have longer legs since they spend more time wandering around.
Small flies make up the majority of this species’ diet, and they build their webs in areas with lots of food. Bridge orb weavers are active at night, and spend this time feeding on prey.
This species is harmless to humans and is beneficial in getting rid of flying pests.
8. Furrow Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Larinioides cornutus
- Other Names: Furrow orb weaver
- Adult Size: 10 to 12 mm (0.39 to 0.47 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Near water sources like ponds, or lakes in vegetated habitats is where the furrow spider builds its web in New Hampshire.
This spider is active from the months of spring to fall, but mature spiders are more noticeable in the months of summer and fall. Female furrow spiders live in orb-shaped webs, but males look for a mate and roam around.
The furrow orb weaver gets its name from the pattern that appears on the center of its abdomen, which looks like a furrow in the dirt. This spider has tan coloring and dark markings that appear on its back. They have large bulbous abdomens and spindly legs.
The furrow spider eats insects like gnats, flies, and other bugs that may get caught in their web. This spider is a common food for birds such as hummingbirds, and jays.
Sometimes the furrow spider makes their webs near homes, and this spider is a useful pest killer.
9. Hentz Orbweaver

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Tetragnathidae
- Scientific Name: Neoscona crucifera
- Other Names: Spotted orb weaver
- Adult Size: 5 to 20 mm (0.19 to 0.78 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Hentz orb weavers live in moist woodland habitats and are a species found in New Hampshire during the months of summer and fall.
This spider is nocturnal and lives in orb-shaped webs that they build. Hentz orb weavers will hide in a secluded area like in a leaf, or another retreat near their web.
Females of this species have large abdomens and thick legs. Males have smaller abdomens, with longer legs on them. Hentz orb weavers have dark bonds on their legs, and small thick hairs cover their bodies.
Insects that get caught in their web at night are what this spider feeds on. They are preyed on by wasps and birds. Hentz orb weavers are not dangerous, and usually, only bite if they feel threatened.
10. Giant Lichen Orbweaver

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Araneus bicentenarius
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 10 to 30 mm ( 0.39 to 1.18 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
The giant lichen orbweaver inhabits the eastern United States and is a spider roaming about in New Hampshire.
This species lives in moist woodland habitats and is a nocturnal species. They live in webs made up to 8 feet in diameter and are active from the months of spring to fall.
A large spider, this species is bigger than most of the orb weavers in New Hampshire. This spider has a round abdomen, with a green pattern on it that looks like lichen that grows on trees.
The markings on them are brown, and they also have dark bands on their legs. Humps protrude from their abdomen, and there’s also a marking on this spider running down its center similar to the furrow orb weaver.
This spider only lives for around a year, so in the winter adults die off. Breeding occurs in the fall months, and the eggs and younger spiders that hatch overwinter until the spring comes next year.
11. Starbellied Orbweaver

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Acanthepeira stellata
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 5 to 15 mm ( 0.19 to 0.59 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: $20
Starbellied orbweavers have star points that protrude from their abdomen and reddish brown coloring. Around 10 to 12 points come out of this spider’s body.
Females of this species have larger abdomens than males, but males have longer legs. This spider shade ranges from being to light dark, and they blend in well into wooded structures.
Large webs are built by the females of this species to live in, held up by the supporting vegetation of the areas. Woodland and moist forest habitats are where they are common. This spider is found in New Hampshire and across the United States.
The shape of this species’ abdomen makes them easily identifiable when compared with other species, but they may not be spotted easily due to their size. This spider is active most in summer and fall and is a nocturnal species.
12. Spined Micrathena

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Micrathena gracilis
- Other Names: Castleback orbweaver
- Adult Size: 4 to 10 mm (0.15 to 0.31 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Spined micrathena is a native species to North and Central America and is a spider that lives in New Hampshire. Forests and woodland habitats are where this spider lives.
Ponds, lagoons, marshes, and lakes are bodies of water that are near the forests these spiders live in since they require moisture in their habitats. Spring to fall is when these spider mates and their breeding season is triggered by flooding around their homes.
The spined micrathena has a white abdomen, with spines that stick out of it. They have black, orange, and yellow markings on them. The spines of this species vary, but this spider is known for its spiky appearance.
Spined micrathena build larger circular webs, used to catch flying insects. They inject the prey that falls into their silk with venom, then begin to feed.
This spider is harmless to humans and is useful since its large webs kill an abundance of flying pests.
13. White Micrathena
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Micrathena mitrata
- Other Names: Spiny orbweavers
- Adult Size: 4.2 to 10.8 mm (0.16 to 0.42 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
A small species in New Hampshire, the white micrathena gets its name from its white coloring.
This spider also has brown markings on its body and tiny spikes that come out the tip of its abdomen. Their bodies are shaped like small turbans, and they have small legs useful for navigating their silk.
White micrathena are common in forest habitats and build large circular webs to catch their prey. Only females create these webs, and males are not seen often, spending their time looking for a mate.
Spiders like the white micrathena play an important role in killing pest-flying insects like gnats, mosquitoes, and other small flying bugs. This spider is replied to mostly by birds, and wasps.
14. Triangle Orbweaver

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Verrucosa arenata
- Other Names: Arrowhead spider
- Adult Size: 9.5 mm (0.37inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
The shape of the triangle orb weaver is like an arrow, and they also have a triangle-shaped marking on their abdomen. This spider comes in black, gray, red, white, or yellowish coloring.
They have a mottled pattern on them, and dark bands that cover their legs. Small hairs cover this spider’s entire body, making it possible for them to sense vibrations more accurately.
Triangle orb weavers live in woodland habitats and can be found in the warm months of summer and fall. This species builds its webs in places with vegetation to support it, and lots of insect traffic to provide ample food.
This spider uses its silk to wrap its prey and kills them with its venom. Triangle orbweavers feed on small flying insects and are a great natural exterminator.
Birds are this spider’s main predator, feeding on them, and taking this spider’s silk for its nest.
15. Lined Orbweaver

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Mangora gibberosa
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 5 to 6 mm (0.2 to 0.25 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Lined orb weavers are a small species named after the lined markings that appear on their abdomen.
This species has a white abdomen, with brown lines on them. They have translucent green legs, and cephalothorax, with small thick hairs on their body.
The lined orbweavers are in highly vegetated places like fields and edged woodland habitats. Circular webs are made by this species, supported by surrounding vegetation. This species is most active in the spring, and fall is when the eggs hatch, then overwinter.
Lined orbweavers feed on insects that get caught in their web. This spider is preyed on regularly by birds, and wasps, but will hide in plants to not get eaten.
Lined orb weavers are harmless spiders, and beneficial in eating flying pests.
16. Black and Yellow Garden Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Argiope aurantia
- Other Names: Yellow garden spider
- Adult Size: 5 to 28 mm ( 0.2 to 1.1 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: $8
The black and yellow garden spider is one of the biggest spiders that live in New Hampshire. This spider is found in gardens, grasslands, meadows, urban areas, and other similar places.
They are active mostly in the summer and fall and prefer to live in moist environments. Females of this species build circular webs around 2 feet in diameter to live in, with a web shape similar to other orb weavers.
Black and yellow garden spiders are named after their colors. Females have large round abdomens and silver heads. Males are about 4 times smaller and have spindly legs.
This spider is harmless, even though it has bright coloring. It feeds on pest insects, and they use its web to catch its prey. This spider is active during the day and is preyed on by birds, and wasps.
17. Banded Garden Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Argiope trifasciata
- Other Names: Banded orb-weaving spider
- Adult Size: 15 to 25 mm (0.59 to 0.98 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
The banded garden spider has bands covering its body and has black, white, and yellow colors on them.
This spider has a pointed bulbous abdomen, and long spindly legs. Males of this species are much smaller than females and are sometimes seen sitting in the same web as their mate.
Banded garden spiders are seen most in the summer and fall months, building their webs in vegetated places. Gardens, grasslands, and backyards are a few of the places this spider is commonly found.
A harmless species, this spider helps control insect populations like mosquitoes, and moths. Venom is used to paralyze their prey, but their bite is harmless to humans.
18. Dimorphic Jumping Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Salticidae
- Scientific Name: Maevia inclemens
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 4.75 to 8 mm (0.187 to 0.31 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: $20 to $30
The dimorphic jumping spider is not like most species, as the males of the species are able to come in two different variants. Male dimorphic jumping spiders can either be a dark black morph or have a gray-mottled pattern on their abdomen.
Females have a tan or light gray mottled coloring. This jumping spider has angular legs used to leap far distances.
Dimorphic jumping spiders are active from the month of spring to fall in New Hampshire. This spider roams around man-made structures, and in vegetated habitats.
Active during the day, this spider feeds on small insects like aphids, other spiders, and beetles. A skittish species, fleeing is their first instinct when spotted.
19. Bold Jumping Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Salticidae
- Scientific Name: Phidippus audax
- Other Names: Daring jumping spider
- Adult Size: 6 to 19 mm (0.23 to 0.74 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: $20 to $30
Bold jumping spiders get their name from their bold colors and are a common Salticidae in New Hampshire, and other places across the United States.
This species is most active from spring to fall and roams about during the day. At night this spider like other similar species rests in a silk sac that it creates.
The bold jumping spider is a medium-sized species and is one of the biggest jumping spiders in its range. This species is black, with white tufts of hair on its legs.
Their abdomen has three spots, that are either orange or yellow. Younger spiders will have orange spots on their abdomen that turn white with age. The chelicerae of this spider are large and iridescent.
Bold jumping spiders feed on small insects they find and pounce on them. This species is extremely quick and uses its fast movements and keen eyesight to hunt.
Vertical surfaces are regularly used by this spider to survey the area for food, or predators like birds, or other spiders.
20. Zebra Jumping Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Salticidae
- Scientific Name: Salticus scenicus
- Other Names: Zebra Spider
- Adult Size: 5 to 9 mm (0.19 to 0.35 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: $20 to $30
Zebra jumping spiders have black and white markings on them that look similar to the pattern of a zebra. Found in New Hampshire, this species has a range in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
They live in a variety of habitats like urban areas and open woodlands. This species is active during the day and is often seen on surfaces like fences, windows, and the walls of buildings.
Zebra jumping spiders live in open places with a myriad of things for them to feed on. When hunting they move slowly toward their prey, and pounce on them when the moment is right. Zebra jumping spiders eat animals like moths, mosquitoes, and other spiders.
Spring to fall is when this species is active, and most of this spider’s time is spent hunting and mating. Males will attempt to mate with females of the same species that they come across.
They perform a mating ritual of waving their arms and moving around to attract a female. When the eggs are laid female will guard her sac until the eggs are ready to hatch, and the spiderlings go off on their own.
21. Tan Jumping Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Salticidae
- Scientific Name: Platycryptus undatus
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 8.5 to 13 mm (0.33 to 0.51 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: $20 to $30
Tan jumping spiders have brown coloring as their name suggests. Wooden fences, trees, and other vertical surfaces are where this species is commonly found, and their coloring helps them camouflage from nearby animals.
Tan jumping spiders have body shapes similar to other jumping spiders like their angular legs, and larger eyes. They have hairs covering them, making them look like teddy bears.
Tan-jumping spiders are adept hunters because of their camouflage, eyesight, and quick speed. The two large eyes on the front of their face give them excellent depth perception and the rest of their eyes that circle their head broaden their peripheral vision.
Small insects and invertebrates are what this species eats. They hunt during the day, and at night rest in a silk cocoon. Spring to fall is when this spider is seen most, and they are a very common spider in New Hampshire.
22. White-jawed Jumping Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Salticidae
- Scientific Name: Hentzia mitrata
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 4 to 6 mm (0.15 to 0.23 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
The white-jawed jumping spider is a species found in North America, in places like New Hampshire. This species lives in open habitats and moves around during the day on the plant life it lives on.
White is the color of this species, and they have a mottled pattern of gray, and orange on them. Males have longer legs, and a brown marking on the center of their abdomen.
White-jawed jumping spiders eat small insects and spend their day hunting. This spider is harmless to humans but helps prey on the pest insects that it finds.
White-jawed jumping spiders are preyed on by animals like birds, larger spiders, and reptiles.
23. American Grass Spider

- Experience Level: Beginners
- Family: Agelenidae
- Scientific Name: Agelenopsis
- Other Names: funnel weavers
- Adult Size: 9 to 20 mm (0.35 to 0.78 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
A funnel-weaving spider, the American grass spider is one of the most common spiders in the United States. Lawns, plants, and on top of other vegetation are where this spider builds its web.
A retreat is located on their web for them to hide in, and they quickly drag prey that falls into their silk. Pill bugs, other spiders, and flies are prey this spider feeds on.
American grass spiders are regularly confused for wolf spiders but have a spinneret at the end of their abdomen that looks like a tail. This spider has tan coloring and bold stripes that run down its body.
Grass spiders have thin hairs on their body, and long legs that let them quickly run over their silk. Spring is when the American grass spider first starts to become active, and they are found until the fall.
24. Black Laceweaver

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Amaurobiidae
- Scientific Name: Amaurobius ferox
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 8 to 16 mm (0.31 to 0.62 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Man-made structures are where the black-lace weaver builds its webs, in secluded crevices. This spider silk is frayed and looks similar to lace.
Summer and fall are when the black lace weaver is most active, and they are a nocturnal spider. Black lace weavers spin silk that looks blue and is extremely sticky to catch insects.
The legs and cephalothorax of this spider are dark browns. Their fangs are large and produce a painful, but non-fatal bite. Black lace weavers have gray to black abdomens, with a yellow mottle pattern on them. Thick velvety hairs cover this spider’s body.
Insects like crane flies, moths, and other bugs are what this spider eats. They pull their prey into their crevice and use their venom to kill their meal.
25. Red-spotted Ant-mimic Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Corinnidae
- Scientific Name: Castianeira descripta
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 13 mm (0.51 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Red-spotted ant-mimics are sometimes confused for black widows since they both have black and red colorings.
This spider has a red blotch that appears on the back of its abdomen and has thicker legs than a black widow. They travel around in habitats like parks, backyards, and grasslands.
Red-spotted ant-mimic spiders copy the movements of ants by walking slowly and lifting their two front arms in the air to look like antennas. This species feeds on ants, and other small insects.
When resting, red-spotted ant mimics rest in silk sacs, and make them near ant hills to have a reliable food source.
26. Long-Palped Ant-mimic Sac Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Corinnidae
- Scientific Name: Castianeira longipalpa
- Other Names: Banded Sac Spider
- Adult Size: 3 to 13 mm (0.11 to 0.51 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
The long-palped ant mimic spider is a black species, with a yellow or cream-mottled pattern on it. This species is known to mimic ants and will walk with its two front legs up so they look like antennae.
Long-palped ant-mimic spiders also walk slowly and try to mimic the movements of an ant. In leaf litter, amongst rocks and other small plants are where this spider can be found.
Long-palped ant mimic spiders are active from spring to fall. They feed on ants, but also other small insects that they may find. Long-palped ant mimic spiders wander around to hunt and create a silk sac to rest in. A harmless species, this spider sometimes is seen in homes looking for food.
27. Garden Ghost Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Anyphaenidae
- Scientific Name: Hibana gracilis
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 4 to 8 mm (0.15 to 0.31 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Garden ghost spiders are a spider that lives in New Hampshire, and across North America. This spider lives in highly vegetated places like gardens, meadows, and in backyards.
Garden ghost spiders get their name from their white translucent appearance. Spring to fall is when this spider is most active.
Hairs cover the entirety of this spider’s body, and they also have a mottled pattern on their abdomen. Their fangs are large and deliver a painful non-fatal bite.
The garden ghost spider is nocturnal, and in the day hides in secluded areas. In bushes, vegetated are common places this spider hides during the day.
Small insects and other invertebrates prey on this spider at night, and they are useful in gardens to help control pests.
28. Spitting Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Scytodidae
- Scientific Name: Scytodes thoracica
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 6 to 18 mm (0.25 to 0.75 inches)
- Lifespan: 1.5 to 4 years
- Average Price Range: $30
Spitting spiders live across the United States, and are one of the few spiders that spit to take out their prey. The fluid expelled by this spider is a mix of venom, and liquid silk.
The venom and silk it spits are extremely fast and shoot out at a speed of around 28 meters per second. Spitting spiders are able to shoot at targets 0.39 to 0.78 inches (1 to 2 cm) away from them.
Unlike most spiders, this species only has 6 eyes, which are grouped in pairs of two on their face. Spitting spiders have brown coloring, and are covered in dark blotches.
They have long thin legs, with round body segments. Their two front legs are longer than the rest to help with their aim and spit accurately at their targets.
Spitting spiders feed on prey like smaller spiders, flies, and mosquitoes. Active at night, this species spends most of its time looking for a move. They move around slowly, looking for prey.
29. Eastern Parson Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Gnaphosidae
- Scientific Name: Herpyllus ecclesiasticus
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 5 to 12.7 mm (0.2 to 0.5 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Eastern parsons are found across the Eastern United States, in states like New Hampshire. This species wanders around and does not live in webs like other spiders.
Eastern parsons spiders live in woodland and other vegetated habitats. Active at night, in the day they hide under objects like rocks, logs, or leaf litter.
The eastern parson spider has black coloring, with white markings on its head and abdomen. The tips of this spider’s legs are dark brown, and they have a spinneret on the end of their body.
At night when active the eastern parson spider spends its time hunting small insects, and other invertebrates. Eastern parsons do not have potent venom to humans, and bites are only dangerous if allergic to the venom.
30. Northern Yellow Sac Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Cheiracanthiidae
- Scientific Name: Cheiracanthium mildei
- Other Names: Long-legged Sac Spider
- Adult Size: 5 to 10 mm (0.19 to 0.39 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Northern yellow sac spiders are a nocturnal species. This spider has yellow or beige coloring, with small hairs covering its body.
Yellow sac spiders have long legs that help them traverse their habitat and a small rounded abdomen. Yellow sac spiders have large black fangs that leave a painful bite.
Their venom is mildly necrotic. Yellow sac spider bites are not deadly, but may leave small lesions, and cause other mild symptoms.
Northern yellow sac spiders are active at night, and in the day this spider hides in a secluded place. Under rocks, in leaf litter, and under logs are where yellow sac spiders rest during the day.
They create a silk sac until they become active again at night. Insects and other small invertebrates are what the yellow sac spider feeds on.
They regularly make their way into homes looking for food and may hide under things like cardboard or dirty laundry.
31. Woodlouse Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Dysderidae
- Scientific Name: Dysdera crocata
- Other Names: Woodlouse hunter, sowbug killer
- Adult Size: 9 to 3 mm (0.35 to 0.59 inches)
- Lifespan: 2 to 5 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
The woodlouse spider is a species that lives near woodlice and regularly feeds on them. This spider has large fangs that give a painful bite, and help pierce the exoskeleton of the woodlice they feed on.
Woodlice spiders may also feed on other insects, and other small animals they find. Woodlice spiders are often found near woodlouse and live in dark moist areas.
This species has a tan abdomen, with a reddish head and legs. Woodlice spiders are medium-sized.
They are active mostly in the summer and fall. They are nocturnal and build a silk sac to rest during the day.
32. Deadly Ground Crab Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Thomisidae
- Scientific Name: Xysticus funestus
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 5 to 10 mm (0.2 to 0.4 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Deadly ground spiders are found across North America. This spider spends its time on forest floors and vegetation.
This species has tan coloring, with an orange hue, that makes it easy for them to blend into various settings like on dirt, or trees. Deadly ground crab spiders do not build webs but spend most of their time hunting on the forest floor.
Females of this species are larger than males, but both have a similar appearance to crabs. New Hampshire is just one of the places this species is seen, and its range covers most of the Eastern United States.
Bites from this species do not occur often, as they tend to avoid humans.
33. Goldenrod Crab Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Thomisidae
- Scientific Name: Misumena vatia
- Other Names: Flower crab spider
- Adult Size: 5 to 10 mm (0.20 to 0.39 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Goldenrod crab spiders are a widespread species across North America and are a spider that many find in New Hampshire. As a member of the Thomisidae family, members of this group are called crab spiders due to the crab-like orientation of their legs.
This spider lives on flowering plants like goldenrod, and daisies. The summer and fall months are when this spider is active most.
Females of this species spend their lives on a flower, or plant of their choice. Males spend their time wandering around looking to mate and will loom by a female they find.
Males have long legs and small white abdomens. Females are more robust, with pink, or reddish markings on their abdomen on some specimens.
The goldenrod crab spider is one of the few spiders that is able to change its color to better camouflage into its habitat. Unlike a chameleon, goldenrod crab spiders change their shade very slowly, and it takes around a month to complete.
This spider is able to change between yellow or white, and feed on insects that get near them. Pollinating bugs like wasps, bees, flies, and butterflies are what this spider eats the most.
34. Running Crab Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Philodromidae
- Scientific Name: Philodromus spp.
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 38 mm (1.5 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
A large species, the running crab spider gets its name from its crab-like movements.
This spider has tan coloring, with a lighter mottled pattern covering it. Running crab spiders have front legs that look longer than their back, and many hairs that cover their entire body.
Running crab spiders are not dangerous to humans. They live in woodlands and other similar habitats. Insects are preyed on by this spider, and they ambush their prey.
Running crab spiders spend their time hunting, and are deadly predators of pest insects, and other small animals.
35. Carolina Wolf Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Lycosidae
- Scientific Name: Hogna carolinensis
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 19 to 25 mm (0.7 to 0.98 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 4 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Out of all the wolf spider species, the Carolina wolf spider is the largest of them all. Carolina wolf spiders live in various habitats like urban areas, forests, meadows, and wetlands.
Summer and fall are when this spider is most active, and they are nocturnal. During the day they hide in burrows, under rocks, logs, and in other secluded habitats.
Carolina wolf spiders have a coloring that ranges from dark to gray. They have a mottled pattern on them that help them camouflage into their environments. Wolf spiders sometimes come into homes at night looking for food but are not dangerous to humans.
Wolf spiders get their name from their speed, and their ability to pounce on their prey like a wolf. They have excellent night vision, and their eyes glow when shined with a light in the dark.
36. Dark Fishing Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Pisauridae
- Scientific Name: Dolomedes tenebrosus
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 6.8 to 25.4 mm (0.27 to 1 inch)
- Lifespan: 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Dark fishing spiders are one of the biggest spiders in New Hampshire.
This species lives in forested habitats near ponds, lakes, and other similar freshwater habitats. Dark fishing spiders do not spend as much time near water sources as other fishing spiders and may wander far away into densely forested habitats.
Tan, dark brown, and gray are common colors this species is found in. They are covered in fur, and camouflage well into wood or dirt surfaces.
This spider is nocturnal and is an active hunter. They are very large and feed on aquatic and land insects. While not deadly their large fangs are able to give a painful bite.
37. Striped Fishing Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Pisauridae
- Scientific Name: Dolomedes scriptus
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 15 to 25.4mm (0.59 to 1 inch)
- Lifespan: 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Striped fishing spiders are one of the many members of the Pisauridae spider family that you can find in New Hampshire.
This spider has tan coloring, with dark W shape markings that appear on its abdomen, and a circle-shaped cephalothorax. Hairs cover this species, and they have large legs that stretch out the sides of their body like a fan.
Striped fishing spiders live near freshwater sources like streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. They rest near bodies of water during the day, and at night spend their time looking for food. Fishing spiders are semi-aquatic and can travel across the water’s surface to catch prey, or escape predators.
Summer and fall are when this spider is most active. They will flee if approached and may bite if cornered or threatened.
Striped fishing spiders are not dangerous to humans, but their venom is useful for small prey like tadpoles, and insects. Wasps and birds are these spiders’ predators in the wild.
38. American Nursery Web Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Pisauridae
- Scientific Name: Pisaurina Mira
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 15 mm (0.59 inches)
- Lifespan: 2 years
- Average Price Range: $10
New Hampshire and across the United States are just a few places to find the nursery web spider, but this species has a large range spread across the globe.
This spider is a very common species, found in grasslands, woodlands, and urban areas. In spring, and the early summer months is when the nursery web spider is most active.
The summer is when this species mates. Females are sometimes seen carrying their egg sacs in their mouths, and will then put them in a hidden place to guard them when their spiderlings are ready to hatch.
Light tan to dark brown is the colors of this spider. They have a bold dark brown stripe going down their carapace and abdomen.
Nursery web spiders are also covered in hydrophobic hairs, which help them walk on the water’s surface. As an active hunter, this species preys on small animals like roaches or small spiders that it comes across.
39. Filmy Dome Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Linyphiidae
- Scientific Name: Neriene radiata
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 3.4 to 5.3 mm (0.13 to 0.2 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Filmy dome spiders live in vegetated habitats, building their web with the support of low-lying vegetation. The web of this spider is shaped like an upside-down bowl.
Forrest, meadows, and other vegetated habitats are where this species lives. The filmy dome spider spends its time on the underside of its web and waits for prey to fall into its silk to feed on them. Gnats, mosquitoes, and flies are prey they commonly eat.
Filmy dome spiders look very similar to the orchard orbweaver, but have rounder abdomens, and showcase less vibrant colors. Filmy dome spiders have black, or dark brown markings on them, with white or cream-colored markings as well.
This spider has spindly legs, and its dome-shaped web is its most noticeable feature.
40. Bowl and Doily Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Linyphiidae
- Scientific Name: Frontinella pyramitela
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 4 mm (0.16 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
The bowl and doily spider is named after its web shape, which can also help identify the species. The bowl web is the part where this spider sits and is shaped like a bowl.
The doily section of the web is flat and positioned above the bowl section to push insects into its web. This spider lives in vegetated places, and its web is suspended using things like bushes. It is not uncommon to see multiple spiders living together.
Bowl and doily spiders have spindly legs and small round abdomens. This species is dark brown, with white markings on them.
The web of this spider is its most identifiable trait. Flying insects are what this species feeds on, and their web shape protects them when injecting venom into their prey.
41. Long-bodied Cellar Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Pholcidae
- Scientific Name: Pholcus phalangioides
- Other Names: Skull spider, Daddy long-leg spider
- Adult Size: 6 to 10 mm (0.23 to 3.9 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 3 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
In New Hampshire and other areas of the US long-bodied cellar spiders are one of the most abundant and common spiders. This species is active year-round and lives in garages, homes, the side of houses, and a variety of other places.
Webs made of loose silk are made by this spider suspended from something like a fence to the ground. It is common for this species to live in a web with family members of the same species.
The legs of this spider are long and thin, and much larger than its abdomen. This spider has an elongated body, with tan coloring. Also called the daddy long leg, they are sometimes confused for the harvestmen which also have this name.
Long-bodied cellar spiders eat on prey that gets caught in their web. This species uses its long legs to wrap up prey in silk and neutralize them with venom.
Other spiders, roaches, and flies are some of the things cellar spiders eat. When done with their food these spiders will drop their wrapped-up scraps to the ground.
42. Candy-striped Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Theridiidae
- Scientific Name: Enoplognatha ovata
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 3.5 to 7 mm (0.13 to 2.7 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
A native species to Europe is the candy-striped spider, which is a spider that now lives in North America, and places like New Hampshire.
Candy-striped spiders have a round abdomen and long thin legs. Their legs are translucent, and their abdomen is white, with yellow and red markings on them.
Candy-striped spiders live in vegetated areas and live on plants. They build tangled webs and use their coloring to camouflage into the plants they live on.
Candy-striped spiders live in habitats like grasslands, gardens, meadows, and woodlands. These small spiders feed on small insects and invertebrates and can take down prey much larger than themselves.
Candy Striped spiders have a venomous bite that causes mild symptoms like swelling, redness, and pain, but this spider is not dangerous unless allergic.
43. Triangulate Cobweb Spider

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Theridiidae
- Scientific Name: Steatoda triangulosa
- Other Names: Triangulate bud spider
- Adult Size: 3 to 6 mm (0.1 to 0.23 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 3 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
The triangulate cobweb spider is a very common species in North America, found in New Hampshire and other states.
This spider lives in messy cobwebs that it builds, which are made in dark and secluded corners. Triangulate cobweb spiders live in houses, and other man-made structures.
Tan is the color of this species, and they have cream markings that appear on their round abdomen. They have spindly legs, with light brown bands running down them. The pattern on the abdomen of this spider is shaped like a zig-zag, and they have a glossy appearance.
Triangulate cobweb spiders feed on insects like pill bugs, roaches, ants, and other spiders that get caught in their messy cobwebs. They use vibrations to know when something is in their home and neutralize them with venom.
44. American House Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Theridiidae
- Scientific Name: Parasteatoda tepidariorum
- Other Names: Common House Spider
- Adult Size: 3 to 5 mm (0.11 to 0.19 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
The American house spider is a common species in New Hampshire and lives in messy cobwebs.
This spider builds its web in areas like attics, garages, secluded corners, and other similar areas. They may live indoors like in houses, or outdoors during the warm season.
The common house spider is another name for this species. They have small rounded abdomen and thin legs.
Their color ranges from tan to black, and they are covered in a mottled pattern. Males and female American house spiders have a similar appearance, but males are slightly smaller.
This spider feeds on pests that may enter homes like mosquitoes, wasps, ants, roaches, and other similar invertebrates. This spider uses its venom to kill its prey, but they are harmless to humans.
Common house spiders are not aggressive, and will only bite humans if they feel in danger. The assassin bug, lizards, and other spiders are this species’ main prey.
45. Rabbit Hutch Spider

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Theridiidae
- Scientific Name: Steatoda bipunctata
- Other Names: False widow
- Adult Size: 16 mm (0.75 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Rabbit hutch spiders are often found in the cages of rabbits, building their webs in messy corners.
This spider lives close to humans and is found in houses, garages, and boxes, building its web in secluded areas. This spider is active at night and will hide in a secluded area during the day.
The rabbit hutch spider has dark brown coloring. They have a bulbous abdomen, and long spindly legs, with light brown bands on them.
Down the center of their abdomen is a light stripe. Rabbit hutch spiders look similar to the black widow, but are not as deadly, and their small fangs are not that painful.
Insects like woodlice and flies are what this species feeds on. Their venom is used to neutralize their prey, and they also wrap it in silk.
Rabbit hutch spiders are harmless. When living in animal pens they help get rid of the pests insects like flies, or mosquitoes that may bug the animal.
46. False Black Widow

- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Theridiidae
- Scientific Name: Steatoda grossa
- Other Names: brown house spider, cupboard spider
- Adult Size: 10 to 14 mm (0.39 to 0.55 inches)
- Lifespan: 2 to 6 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
The false widow is a common species in North America and is also known as the cupboard spider. This species is sometimes confused with the black widow since it has a similar body shape and color.
Female cupboard spiders have reddish-brown coloring, with a bulbous abdomen, and spindly legs. They lack the red hourglass of the Latrodectus species. Males have black coloring, with a smaller abdomen, and longer legs.
False widows live in messy cobwebs and rely on the vibrations of their silk to sense the world around them. Their webs are built in secluded areas that remain undisturbed for long periods. Under trash cans, garages, corners, and cabinets are some of the places this species builds its webs.
The false widow is a species that feeds on insects that get caught in its web. This spider does not have a bite as serious as the black widow, but may give symptoms like swelling, fevers, and sweating.
47. Northern Black Widow

- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Theridiidae
- Scientific Name: Latrodectus variolus
- Other Names: Northern Widow
- Adult Size: 12.7 to 15.24 mm (0.5 to 0.6 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 3 years
- Average Price Range: $20
The Northern black widow is the most dangerous species in New Hampshire.
This spider is all black, and females have an hourglass on the back of their abdomen. The hourglass marking on the Northern black widow is broken in two, which can help identify it from other similar species. Males of this species are much smaller than females but have long legs.
Northern black widows are active mostly in the summer and fall months. This spider builds messy webs in places like flower pots, under furniture, on fences, and in other secluded areas. Active at night, that is when they can be seen sitting on their web.
The bite from a northern black widow is dangerous since they possess powerful neurotoxic venom. Bites are rare but can happen if the spider is provoked.
Symptoms like nausea, sweating, and muscle spasms are and medical treatment is recommended. Bites from black widows are not usually deadly, and symptoms vary depending on factors like age, and overall health.
FAQ
In New Hampshire what spider is the largest?
The Carolina wolf spider is the largest spider in New Hampshire and is also the largest of the Lycosidae wolf spider family.
Carolina wolf spiders have a body size of around 0.98 inches and a leg span of around 3 to 4 inches. Other spiders larger than most species that live in New Hampshire include fishing spiders and black and yellow garden spiders.
In New Hampshire, When Are Spiders Active?
In New Hampshire, the months from spring to fall are when spiders are most active.
Summer and fall have an abundance of species that are active in this time, and have fully grown into mature adults ready to mate. In winter spiders are not able to tolerate the cold so most die.
What is the Most Dangerous Spider in New Hampshire?
The northern black widow is the most dangerous spider in New Hampshire and has strong venom.
This spider’s venom is around 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake, but they inject such a small amount that it is less deadly. Bites from the black widow are neurotoxic and attack the body’s nervous system.
Black widows have some of the most potent venoms of spiders in New Hampshire, and the United States. Bites from this species are rare since they are not aggressive. Anti-venom exists for this species, and medical treatment is recommended if bites do occur.
Wrapping up
New Hampshire has many species living in the state, and the ones on this list are just a few that inhabit the United States.
The spiders in New Hampshire, also live in other states, and parts of the globe, and are an important part of the ecosystem they live in. Most spiders you come across are harmless, and likely do more good by helping control the population of pest insects in the areas they live in.
If interested in spiders most species make great pets. Each species has its own needs and learning how to keep spiders as pets make it easy to examine them on a daily basis.
The spiders in New Hampshire are an important part of the environments they live in, and there is a variety that you may find. New species are being discovered regularly, and the spiders on this list are just some that live in the state.
More spiders in nearby states