Spider identification assistance... - Ask Extension
Hello,
I found this spider in a box in my garage today that I am having trouble identifying. What is throwing me off (and also the reason that I deci...
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Spider identification assistance... #870224
Asked May 27, 2024, 1:37 AM EDT
Hello,
I found this spider in a box in my garage today that I am having trouble identifying. What is throwing me off (and also the reason that I decided it was worth taking pictures of) is that the spider appears slightly greenish/grey/tan. I can't recall ever seeing one like that before. It has a larger front segment, a thinner, longer rear segment, and darker "feet." I haven't been able to find any information on spiders like this in my area (Eugene).
I apologize for the poor image quality. I was in the middle of moving, and wasn't able to check the pictures until later this evening. I hope that you are still able to help me narrow it down though.
Thank you for any assistance you can give me!
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
I forgot to add that the total body length was somewhere between 0.5" - 0.75".
Hi Travis,
Yes, that looks like a long-legged sac spider, also called a yellow sac spider (a Cheiracanthium species). Here is a link to a photo of another specimen for comparison....
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1823886
These spiders are pretty common, but a bit secretive. They are found throughout the US, including in our region.
They are called sac spiders because they spin a sac-like tube of silk that they use as a retreat to hang out in during daylight hours. They don't make webs for catching prey insects, but instead come out at night to hunt insects for food.
Here are a couple links with more information if you are interested...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheiracanthium_inclusum
https://spiderhugger.com/meet-the-spider-cheiracanthium/
Hope that helps!
Yes, that looks like a long-legged sac spider, also called a yellow sac spider (a Cheiracanthium species). Here is a link to a photo of another specimen for comparison....
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1823886
These spiders are pretty common, but a bit secretive. They are found throughout the US, including in our region.
They are called sac spiders because they spin a sac-like tube of silk that they use as a retreat to hang out in during daylight hours. They don't make webs for catching prey insects, but instead come out at night to hunt insects for food.
Here are a couple links with more information if you are interested...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheiracanthium_inclusum
https://spiderhugger.com/meet-the-spider-cheiracanthium/
Hope that helps!
