What Big Spiders Are in Iowa?
WouterThe state of Iowa is home to many different species of spiders. Although the largest spiders aren’t found in Iowa, there are some that do live here. These include fisher spiders, dark fishing spiders, barn funnel weavers, and Marbled Orbweavers.
There are three kinds of poisonous spiders found in Iowa. One is a black widow, which is the most venomous spider in North America. Another type of venomous spider is the brown recluse.
Wolf spiders are also venomous. They are not as large as other venomous spiders, but they are very fast. They prefer shrubs with lots of prey. Birds are common predators of wolf spiders. The venom is not lethal, but it can be painful.
The fisher spider is the most common eight-legged spider in Iowa. It uses speed to chase its prey. It also bites. These spiders do not build webs, but they do use silk to protect their eggs.
The marbled orbweaver is a colorful spider that is found in Iowa. These spiders are often orange or yellow. They are not poisonous to humans, but they do bite if they feel threatened. They typically live near human dwellings.
The dark fishing spider is a very common spider in Iowa. It has a shiny body and a web made out of sticky droplets. It spends most of its time at night hunting. It is very common in lakes and rivers. Its body is very patterned with black and brown.
