This article contains a list of the 5 biggest spiders in Delaware and how to recognize them.
1. Dark Fishing Spider
Dark fishing spiders are a part of the nursery web spider family. Also known as one of the most common fishing spiders in Delaware, this one has a habitat range extending throughout the central part of America. They have an average length of about one inch for female spiders, reaching three inches with outstretched legs. The male averages half this length. Dark fishing spiders may not be the largest spiders in the group, but they are certainly hard not to notice. Their outer body has a gray or brown appearance, and their legs have dark brown spots with spines running across each one. If you struggle to spot the difference between these spiders and others that may look like them, then look for a W on the abdomen. The darker spots on their legs can also help you identify this species. These spiders love hunting and do not use webs to catch their prey. Instead, they fish for their food, hence their name. They are expert swimmers, so catching small fish is no problem for these hunters. Otherwise, they will run along the water’s surface to capture small spiders to eat. Dark fishing spiders also have another hunting trick up their sleeves because they can dive quite deep below the water’s surface to find food. The only time they rely on creating webs is for the female to lay her eggs until they are ready to hatch. This behavior is also why they are known as nursery spiders because they care for their eggs so well.
2. Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders consist of several different types, with sizes between 0.5-1.5 inches. And because they belong to the same family, it can be pretty tough telling them apart. Wolf spiders do not need a particular habitat to survive. They breed primarily beneath rocks and dark places. Spotting them in the dark, soft sandy areas is easy. Wolf spiders do not make use of webs to catch their prey. Instead, they lay low and wait patiently for their food to wander nearby. Then, they use their speed to capture their prey. Wolf spiders are nomads, so they also move from place to place depending on where the hunting is good. Some of these spiders will stay in one place just because there is food nearby before moving to another location. They have incredible eyesight compared to other spiders, with natural reflective abilities to protect them against harsh light. Unlike some venomous spiders, wolf spiders do not always use venom when they bite their prey. And although not dangerous to humans, their bite may still cause itching and mild pain.
3. American Nursery Web Spider
The most common feature of the nursery web spider is its bizarre mating ritual. Much like the praying mantis, the female nursery spiders eat males after mating. But, no stranger to the ceremony, male nursery spiders will tie up the female’s legs before mating to prevent her from eating him. In this arachnid group, the males are visibly larger with longer legs, and the females have shorter legs with rounded bodies. They have various colors ranging from shades of brown to deep black. They are recognizable by the dark brown stripe on their tan bodies or a light cream stripe on the sides of the body if the spider is black. American nursery web spiders love long reeds and grassy areas and are common in all parts of Delaware. The denser the shrubbery, the higher the volume of these spiders. These spiders live in their privacy and prefer hiding out in the bushes rather than making themselves vulnerable in open spaces. American nursery web spiders are ambush predators using their chelicerae (claw-like pincers) to catch their prey when they are within reach. They wait for their target and then hunt it down. Much like the wolf spider, they prefer catching their targets unaware. However, these spiders will also jump high to run after and grab their next meal.
4. Giant Lichen Orbweaver
Giant lichen orb weavers get their name from the giant webs they spin with males making webs of up to 8 feet in length. They can grow up to one inch and has a characteristic pale green abdomen or red-brown, with speckled green legs. These spiders also feature a peculiar little hump on their backs. Giant lichen orb weavers are also nocturnal and prefer hunting for food in the dark. This behavior also keeps them safe from predators. They are easily identifiable by their orange legs with black rings. Depending on the region, their bodies can also be yellowish with brown rings around the legs. Giant lichen orb weavers have a bite that feels similar to a bee sting, and even though they use their venom, the bite is harmless to humans. They also have a two-year life span, depending on where they live.
5. Daring Jumping Spider
Daring jumping spider markings start as orange and black but slowly lighten as it ages, ending as black and white markings. Daring jumping spiders can grow legs up to 0.55 inches long and are easily recognizable by the color of their abdomen. These arachnids live on flat surfaces in grassy areas and can jump 50 times their own body length. These spiders are avid hunters, choosing open plains to pursue their prey. And, much like the other members of the nursery spider family, they also use their webs only for laying their eggs. As far as catching its prey, the daring jumping spider will launch itself at its target, using a single line of the web as a lifeline to protect itself. This strategy ensures it remains securely connected to its web if it misses its target. Daring jumping spiders can distinguish between animate and inanimate objects, which experts have only ever seen in humans or other mammals. In addition, studies show that daring jumping spiders can also experience emotions at low levels compared to other living creatures.
