5 Types Of Spiders In Ontario (2024)

Spiders can be found almost everywhere in the world and Ontario is no exception. There are over 50 species of spiders in Ontario, ranging from small to large and from harmless to venomous. Ontario is home to a wide variety of spiders, including jumping spiders, orb weavers, wolf spiders, and tarantulas.

Ontario is home to more than 50 species of spiders, however, the most common 5 types of spiders in Ontario are Wolf spiders, Orb weaver spider, Fishing Spider, Jumping Spider, and House Spider. and tarantulas. All of these spiders can be found in Ontario, but they vary in size and behaviour.

5 Types Of Spiders In Ontario

1. Wolf spider

Wolf spiders are one of the most common 5 types of spiders in Ontario. They are large, robust spiders that can reach up to 4 cm in length, and are usually dark brown or black in color. Wolf spiders are usually found on the ground, in gardens, under rocks, or in cracks in walls and foundations. They are fast runners, and often hunt their prey instead of waiting in webs.

Wolf spiders are nocturnal, and they are most active at night. They are solitary hunters, and will not spin webs or live in colonies. They will bite if threatened, but their venom is not generally considered dangerous to humans.

Wolf spiders have excellent eyesight, which helps them to hunt and find prey. They have eight eyes arranged in three rows, which allows them to have wide-angle vision. They use their vision to detect movement, which helps them to capture their prey.

Wolf spiders are beneficial to have around as they help to control insect populations, including mosquitoes, flies, and other pest insects. They also provide a food source for other animals, such as lizards and birds.

Wolf spiders are a type of spider that can be found in Ontario. They are large, robust spiders with excellent eyesight, and are beneficial to have around as they help to control insect populations. Wolf spiders are fast runners, and are nocturnal, so they are most active at night. They will bite if threatened, but their venom is not generally considered dangerous to humans.

2. Orb weaver spider

Orb weaver spiders are a type of spider commonly found in Ontario and other parts of North America. These spiders construct distinctive, circular webs with a radial pattern of spokes. The webs of orb weaver spiders are typically constructed overnight and can be quite large, often spanning several feet in diameter.

Orb weaver spiders are typically nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. During the day, orb weavers rest in a small retreat near the center of their web. At night, they will wait for prey to become ensnared in their web, then quickly rush out to wrap it up and consume it.

Orb weavers generally range in size from 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, with females usually being larger. These spiders usually have long legs, which can be yellow, brown, or black in color. They can also have yellow or orange markings on their abdomen.

Orb weavers typically feed on insects such as flies, moths, and mosquitoes. However, they can also consume other spiders, small lizards, and amphibians. These spiders are important predators in Ontario and help to keep insect populations in check.

orb weaver spiders are an integral part of the local ecosystem in Ontario. They help to keep insect populations in check, while also providing food for other predators. These spiders are also an important part of local biodiversity, as they provide a habitat for other animals and insects.

3. Fishing spider

Fishing spiders are a type of spider commonly found in Ontario. They are large, long-legged spiders that are usually dark brown or black in color. Fishing spiders are semi-aquatic and live near bodies of water such as lakes, streams, and wetlands. They hunt aquatic insects by resting on the water’s surface, waiting for their prey to come to them.

Fishing spiders are unique in that they can swim and walk on water. They have a thick, hydrophobic coating on their legs that reduces the surface tension of the water and allows them to move across the surface. This adaptation allows them to catch insects that are on or near the water’s surface.

Fishing spiders are also able to dive beneath the water’s surface to capture prey. They can stay submerged for up to an hour, using their long legs to move through the water.

Fishing spiders are nocturnal and are usually seen during late spring and early summer. They prefer areas with an abundance of aquatic insects and are usually found near shorelines in areas with slow-moving water.

Fishing spiders are not aggressive and will not bite unless threatened. They are beneficial to humans as they help to control insect populations near bodies of water.

4. Jumping spider

Jumping spiders are one of the most common and diverse types of spiders found in Ontario. They are characterized by their large eyes, colorful patterned bodies, and their ability to leap long distances.

Jumping spiders are small in size, typically ranging between 4 to 18 mm long. They are identified by their large, forward-facing eyes and the presence of a white stripe on their abdomen. Like other spiders, they possess eight eyes in total, with two of them being much larger than the others. These larger eyes help the jumping spider to see farther than other spiders and to detect movement from greater distances.

Jumping spiders are found in a variety of habitats in Ontario, including woodlands, grasslands, and suburban gardens. They are active during the day and spend their nights in small crevices or webs. They also have a wide range of diet, including aphids, flies, and other small insects.

Jumping spiders are able to jump long distances and remain in midair for several seconds. This is due to the large muscles in their legs, which allow them to generate enough force to propel themselves. They use this ability to capture their prey or to escape from predators.

Jumping spiders are an important part of the spider population in Ontario and play an important role in the food web. They are also an interesting species to observe due to their unique behaviors and ability to jump.

5. House spider

House spiders are one of the 5 types of spider in Ontario, Canada. They are generally small, brown in colour, and can be found in and around homes. The most common species found in Ontario is Eratigena duellica, the European house spider.

These spiders are usually found in dark, undisturbed areas of homes and other buildings. They prefer to build their webs in corners, under furniture, or in other sheltered areas. House spiders feed mainly on small insects, such as flies, mosquitoes, and moths. They also eat other spiders and their eggs.

House spiders are not considered to be dangerous to humans, as their fangs are too small to penetrate human skin. However, they may bite if they feel threatened.

House spiders can help to reduce the number of insects in homes, which can be beneficial. To prevent house spiders from becoming a nuisance, it is important to remove any webs and eggs from the home and keep the house clean and free from clutter. In addition, it is important to seal any cracks or crevices in the home to prevent spiders from entering.

Related:

• 5 Types Of Owls In Ontario
• 5 Types Of Mice In Ontario
• 5 Types Of Fish In Ontario

Conclusion

Spiders can be found in almost every corner of the globe, including Ontario. There are over 50 species of spiders in the province, ranging from small and harmless to large and venomous. Jumping spiders, orb weavers, wolf spiders, and tarantulas are just some of the spiders that can be found in Ontario.

The most common five types of Spider are Wolf Spider, Orb weaver Spider, Fishing Spider, Jumping Spider, and House Spider. Each species has unique characteristics that distinguish them from one another. By understanding the different types of spiders that can be found in Ontario, we can better appreciate the diversity of the province’s wildlife.