Filmy Dome Spider
Welcome to Maine spiders where spider enthusiasts will be happy to discover that researchers in Maine recently published a checklist of spiders.
In numbers, the checklist lists 677 species divided into 250 genera and 33 families.
Species richness per family ranges widely, with the Sheetweb Spiders first (228), the Jumping Spiders second (58) and the cobweb spiders third (57). Most people are only familiar with sheetweb spiders by the webs they leave on bushes around the yard. Otherwise, most species are too small to see.
In fact, Sheetweb and Dwarf spiders rank as the most diverse and unseen spiders in all states. One of the few exceptions to this general rule of thumb is the Filmy Dome Spider, pictured at the top of the page. This review focuses on the most common types of spiders seen in residential areas around the state.
Lynx Spiders
Striped Lynx Spider Eyes
Lynx spiders can be abundant in residential areas. The following pictures might help with ID.
Striped Lynx Spider top
Western Lynx Spider Eyes
Western Lynx Spider Female
Western Lynx Spider Juvenile
Western Lynx Spider Male
Orb Weaving Spiders
Zygiella x-notata
There’s around one hundred orb weaving spider species, many of them regionally situated. Some of the species come in a range of colors.
Here’s a few of the more common species with a wider geographical range. See Orb Weaving Spiders for more detail.
Yellow Writing Spider bottom view
Yellow Writing Spider top view
Banded Writing Spider
Cross Orb Weaving Spider
Araneus nordmanni
Trashline Orb Weaver
Gray Cross Spider
Larinioides patagiatus orange shade
Larinioides patagiatus brown shade
Larinioides patagiatus bottom
Sleeping Orb Weaving Spider
Long-jawed Orb Weaver
Long-jawed Orb Weaver side view
Crab Spiders
Flower Crab Spider
It’s sometimes difficult to identify Crab Spiders using body color. Body hair and eye configuration can help. Here’s a few examples.
Flower Crab Spider yellow
Yellow and Red Northern Crab Spider
Northern Crab Spider white
Northern Crab Spider yellow
Swift Crab Spider
Slender Crab Spider
Ground Crab Spider
Jumping Spiders
Bold Jumping Spider
A couple hundred jumping spider species inhabit residential areas, many with limited ranges. Body color can change over the course of time, as with the species presented here. See Jumping Spiders for more complete information.
Bold Jumping Spider
Brilliant Jumping Spider face
Brilliant Jumping Spider side view
Brilliant Jumping Spider top view
Bronze Jumping Spider Female
Bronze Jumping Spider Male
Zebra Jumping Spider
Zebra Jumping Spider Side
Zebra Jumping Spider Eyes
More Spiders and Relatives
Ground Spider
Pirate Otter Spider
Wolf Spider with Egg Sac
Opaline or Daddy Long Legs
Dog Tick Female
Dog Tick Male