Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
West Virginia Department of Agriculture: There are hundreds of species of spiders in West Virginia
This page lists 9 spiders: all from West Virginia Department of Agriculture's Spiders in West Virginia; Bites & Stings. 1 is venomous by official accounts.
Not every species: no complete official list of West Virginia spiders exists, so this page covers the ones state and Extension sources name. How lists are built.
Official sources single out these spiders in West Virginia, in their own words:
Named by the WV Poison Center as the only West Virginia spider harmful to humans. “There is only one spider in West Virginia that is harmful to humans. This spider is the black widow.” West Virginia Poison Center, West Virginia University
Official sources say the brown recluse is not native to West Virginia or not found there. It is not counted on this page; each entry quotes the source.
Not found. “Brown recluse spiders are not native to WV. While a small tip of the western edge of WV is near areas brown recluse spiders are native, they have never been native to WV.” West Virginia Poison Center, West Virginia University
It is venomous, per West Virginia Department of Agriculture. If you find one, do not touch it.
Venomous species first, then A to Z. Do not handle them.
Latrodectus mactans
Venom: “There is only one spider in West Virginia that is harmful to humans. This spider is the black widow.” (West Virginia Poison Center, West Virginia University)
Habitat: Can be found under stones or logs, in outbuildings, in wood logs, under or in discarded cans and similar places (West Virginia Department of Agriculture)
Records of spiders in West Virginia peak in June to September. They show when people record spiders, not how many there are (about month bars).
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.
Official advice from West Virginia Poison Center, West Virginia University:
Report wildlife violations to any WVDNR district office or (844) 484-7367. Report sick or dead wildlife to a local district office. For nuisance wildlife, consult a WVDNR biologist or Natural Resources Police Officer, or hire a licensed Wildlife Damage Control Agent. For pest questions, WVDA Plant Industries Division: (304) 558-2212. No dedicated WVDNR invasive-species sighting line was found. WVDNR
Yes. The WV Poison Center names it as the only spider in the state harmful to humans. West Virginia Poison Center, West Virginia University
“There is only one spider in West Virginia that is harmful to humans. This spider is the black widow.”
Not established. The WV Poison Center says they have never been native; WVDA (undated) says none has been found, though the species occurs in Ohio and Kentucky. West Virginia Poison Center, West Virginia University
“Brown recluse spiders are not native to WV. While a small tip of the western edge of WV is near areas brown recluse spiders are native, they have never been native to WV.”
WVDA says they are unlikely to be seen unless they arrive on imported goods. West Virginia Department of Agriculture
“The tarantulas are not likely to be seen in West Virginia unless they arrive from the south on imported goods and commodities.”
The species list comes from Spiders in West Virginia; Bites & Stings (West Virginia Department of Agriculture, undated; Internet Archive capture 2025-06-18).
Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.
“There are hundreds of species of spiders in West Virginia”
“Both males and females have venom and both are capable of inflicting poisonous bites.”
“The tarantulas are not likely to be seen in West Virginia unless they arrive from the south on imported goods and commodities.”
“There is only one spider in West Virginia that is harmful to humans. This spider is the black widow.”
“Brown recluse spiders are not native to WV. While a small tip of the western edge of WV is near areas brown recluse spiders are native, they have never been native to WV.”
“…if you suspect you have been bitten by the black widow, call the poison center.”
“Citizens may report violations to any DNR district office or call (844) 484-7367.”
