Nebraska Extension: It is estimated that there are over 200 species of spiders in Nebraska.
This page lists 46 spiders and 3 other arachnids: all from Nebraska Extension's Identification Guide to Common Spiders in Nebraska, Nebraska Extension.
4 are venomous by official accounts.
Not every species: no complete official list of Nebraska spiders exists, so this page covers the ones state and Extension sources name. How lists are built.
Which spiders can hurt you
Official sources single out these spiders in Nebraska, in their own words:
Neurotoxic venom potentially harmful to humans. “Only the widow spiders in this group produce a neurotoxic venom potentially harmful to humans and animals.” Nebraska Extension
Neurotoxic venom potentially harmful to humans. “…the southern black widow, Latrodectus mactans, is occasionally found on freight and furniture transported from the southern United States.” Nebraska Extension
Bites when trapped against skin. “The venom generally induces mild bite reactions such as brief pain, swelling and nausea, but some humans have suffered more intense symptoms.” Nebraska Extension
All 46 spiders and 3 other arachnids
Venomous species first, then A to Z. Do not handle them.
“Bite reactions to venom vary and may result in a localized, necrotic wound on the skin” Nebraska Extension
Size
Body about 7 to 12 mm (about 3/8 inch); females average about 9 mm and males about 8 mm. UC IPM says a recluse body is not more than 3/8 inch long.
How to recognize it
Six equal-sized eyes in three pairs. UC IPM calls this the most definitive feature, since most spiders have eight eyes.
The violin mark alone is not a reliable way to identify it
UC IPM's five-point check: six eyes in pairs, evenly colored finely haired abdomen, no spines on the legs, evenly colored legs, body no more than 3/8 inch
Where in Nebraska
Distributed regionally from Georgia west to Nebraska and south through Texas Nebraska Extension
What the sources say
Venom: “…the brown recluse, Loxosceles reclusa, is well known, because it has harmful venom” (Nebraska Extension)
Habitat: Found primarily inside heated buildings, usually in undisturbed, protected areas (Nebraska Extension)
“…the southern black widow, Latrodectus mactans, is occasionally found on freight and furniture transported from the southern United States.” Nebraska Extension
Where in Nebraska
Occasionally found on freight and furniture transported from the southern United States. Nebraska Extension
What the sources say
Venom: “Only the widow spiders in this group produce a neurotoxic venom potentially harmful to humans and animals.” (Nebraska Extension)
Venom: “The venom generally induces mild bite reactions such as brief pain, swelling and nausea, but some humans have suffered more intense symptoms.” (Nebraska Extension)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Females 3/4 to 1 inch long, not counting legs (Missouri); 19 to 28 mm (Penn State); Texas A&M says the female body is more than 1 inch. Males about 1/4 inch (Missouri); 5 to 8 mm (Penn State).
How to recognize it
Round web about 2 feet across, built only by females; the spider rests head-down at the center, where a zigzag silk band (stabilimentum) runs vertically.
Abdomen an elongated oval, pointed at the rear, with two humps (shoulders) at the front.
Males are much smaller than females and rarely noticed.
Ohio DNR says it is sometimes confused with the recluse, perhaps because it also has six eyes; recluses are much smaller, dull brown and have tiny fangs. UC IPM says the woodlouse spider's six eyes are in two groups of three (a recluse has three pairs) and it has no body markings.
Yellow garden spider or Banded garden spider (banded orb weaver)?
Banded garden spider (banded orb weaver) Not stated
Missouri Department of Conservation: the banded garden spider is slightly smaller than the black-and-yellow garden spider, with a pointier hind end, and its abdomen has many thin silver and yellow crosswise lines and thicker black, spotty lines.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When spiders are active in Nebraska
Records of spiders in Nebraska peak in June to September. They show when people record spiders, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
490 records of spiders in Nebraska by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
If you are bitten or stung
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
NGPC: 402-471-0641 (or a local conservation officer). Sick or dead wildlife: report to a Game and Parks office. Invasive species: Nebraska Invasive Species Council, [email protected] or its Report A Sighting page. Reptile and amphibian sightings: UNL Report A Sighting form (herpneb.unl.edu/report-sighting). Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
What official sources say
Are there black widows in Nebraska?
Yes. The western black widow is the most common; the southern black widow arrives occasionally on freight and furniture. Nebraska Extension
“In Nebraska, the western black widow, Latrodectus hesperus, is most common”
Are there brown recluse spiders in Nebraska?
Yes. Nebraska Extension gives the range as Georgia west to Nebraska and south through Texas, primarily inside heated buildings. Nebraska Extension
“…distributed regionally from Georgia west to Nebraska and south through Texas”
Are there hobo spiders in Nebraska?
Nebraska Extension (2016) says the hobo spider is not known to be in Nebraska yet. Nebraska Extension
“…is found in the northwestern United States but not known to be in Nebraska yet.”
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