Nursery Web Spider

Natural Habitat

Tall grass, low-growing vegetation, shrubs, and occasionally the exterior or interior of homes.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; it hunts a variety of small insects and other spiders by stalking rather than using a web to capture prey.

Behavior Patterns

Diurnal hunters known for the female carrying a large white egg sac under her body and later building a 'nursery' web for the spiderlings. Males often offer a silk-wrapped gift (an insect) to the female during courtship.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; they are not aggressive and their venom is not medically significant. Beneficially acts as a natural pest control by eating flies and other garden insects.

Identified on: 5/29/2026