How to Manage Pests

Identification: Natural Enemies Gallery

Spiders

Click on image to enlarge

Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Common prey: Predaceous on a wide variety of insects and arthropods. Commercially available: No

DESCRIPTION

All spiders are predaceous; they eat mainly insects, other spiders, and related arthropods. Some species capture prey in webs. Others stalk insects across the ground or vegetation or lay in wait and pounce on them. About 50 families of spiders occur in the U.S.

Spiders are classified in the arachnid group along with mites, and are very common invertebrates. Unlike insects, which have six legs and three main body parts, spiders have eight legs and two main body parts. Spiders try to avoid people and most are harmless to humans.

For more information on spiders, see:

• Common Garden Spiders (Quick Tip)
• Spiders (Pest Note)
• Spiders (Quick Tip)
•  Common garden spiders (2:13 min)