We just moved to Michigan and these are all around the property (including the basement). Just want to know if it's something I need to be concerned about. Google lens is inconclusive, at least with my non-existent knowledge.
this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2024
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Arachnology
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I don't think it's an orb weaver (especially since you said its web was a tangle). With some help from Google, I'd say it's a juvenile triangulate cobweb spider. Try searching for that and see if you agree.
Yes, this is a good fit to the ones I've seen! I feel a little embarrassed if it's that common. I moved here from Virginia and the only time I've seen a body type like this is with black windows.
My wife and adult son are both arachnophobic, and I think that body style is what triggers that brain wiring the most. My take on it is that humans evolving around venomous spiders evolved to be afraid of them (because people who kept their distance from them survived better). Like with a lot of things, it's not a binary, it's a spectrum, and people who are severely arachnophobic just got a lot, and it doesn't change anything if there are no venomous spiders where they live now.
We have that kind of spider in my area a lot (along with black and brown widows), and that body style is the worst for them. Plus, they look a lot like brown widows generally.
That makes me feel a little less paranoid, thank you. I really appreciate your insight here!