ID

ENTO-73NP (ENTO-346NP)

Authors as Published

Theresa A. Dellinger, Diagnostician, and Eric Day, Insect ID Lab Manager, Insect Identification Lab, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech

This publication is available in a PDF format only.

Several species of spiders found in Virginia have fearsome reputations for giving painful bites resulting in life-threating complications. All spiders use venom to kill their prey, but many spiders are not nearly as aggressive or dangerous as they are presented in urban legends and the media. Spider identification requires specialized knowledge and sufficient magnification. Many harmless species are mistakenly identified as being dangerous due to a lack of a lack of training or a good microscope.

Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Publication Date

February 10, 2020