Venomous spiders in Florida
How to recognize them
Black widowMedically significant76 records, 26 counties
Red widowMedically significant27 records, 4 counties
Brown widowPainful, rarely serious208 records, 26 counties
Black widow Latrodectus mactans, L. variolus, L. hesperus
- Shiny black female with a round abdomen
- Red hourglass or two red marks under the abdomen
- Messy, strong web low to the ground, often in garages, wood piles and water meters
Red widow Latrodectus bishopi
- Red legs and head
- Black abdomen with red spots ringed in yellow
- Builds webs in palmetto leaves
Brown widow Latrodectus geometricus
- Tan to dark brown female with an orange hourglass
- Spiky round egg sacs that look like burrs
- Webs under patio chairs, mailboxes and eaves
Almost all spiders have venom, but very few can hurt people. We list the ones with medically significant bites plus a few that people often worry about.
Counties with records
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Active months
Harmless spiders people mistake for them
Quick answers
- Not here Are there brown recluses in Florida?
- Lives here Are there black widows in Florida?
- Not here Are there tarantulas in Florida?
Questions
How many venomous spiders are in Florida?
3 species live in the state: Black widow, Red widow and Brown widow.
Which venomous spiders in Florida are dangerous?
Black widow and Red widow: bites or stings need medical care.
When are venomous spiders most active in Florida?
Most open records fall in March, May to July, September, November.