Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium)

More Spider Resources Black Widow False Widow Spider Hobo Spider Types of Spiders

The Yellow Sac Spider or Longlegged Sac Spider (genus Cheiracanthium, family Miturgidae) fits one rung below the spiders of medical importance category that is often reserved for the Black Widow, Hobo Spider and Brown Recluse spider.

Small in stature (less than one inch in length), their bite is known to cause immediate severe pain, followed by redness, swelling and itching. Current medical literature suggests necrosis is not a symptom of yellow sac spider bites. So, while their bites may be nasty, they are not known to produce medical complications.

Two different species live in the United States, C. inclusum, a native species found throughout most of the United States, and C. mildei, a European species with established populations in much of the Northeast and Northwest.

Both species share similar physical characteristics which are visible in the top picture. The body is a light color with little marking other than a light stripe on the abdomen and the front pair of legs are longer than the other three pair of legs.

Both species are also known to inhabit residential areas, which makes them candidates for wandering around the house or apartment.

© 2008-2009. Patricia A. Michaels