Venomous spiders in Kansas
How to recognize them
Black widowMedically significant16 records, 9 counties
Brown recluseMedically significant92 records, 16 counties
TarantulaPainful, rarely serious11 records, 5 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
Brown recluse Loxosceles reclusa
- Dark violin shape on the back, neck of the violin points to the rear
- Six eyes in three pairs (most spiders have eight)
- Plain tan abdomen and legs with no bands or spines
Tarantula Aphonopelma spp.
- Large, hairy, brown to black spider
- Lives in a burrow with silk around the entrance
- Males wander in late summer and fall looking for mates
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
- Brown Recluse vs Wolf Spider Wolf spider: harmless
Quick answers
- Lives here Are there brown recluses in Kansas?
- Lives here Are there black widows in Kansas?
- Lives here Are there tarantulas in Kansas?
Questions
How many venomous spiders are in Kansas?
3 species live in the state: Black widow, Brown recluse and Tarantula.
Which venomous spiders in Kansas are dangerous?
Black widow and Brown recluse: bites or stings need medical care.
When are venomous spiders most active in Kansas?
Most open records fall in May to August.
Which harmless spiders get mistaken for venomous ones in Kansas?
Wolf spider. See the side-by-side comparisons below.