Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider

• Also known as the common garden spider, this species is common throughout the United States and makes regular homes in yards and gardens. With black and yellow coloring and large webs, these spiders are easy to spot and quite beautiful.
  
  

Orb Weaver

• Orb weavers are common to yards throughout the United States. They typically live in corners and under protected porches. Colors, shapes and sizes vary greatly, but all orb weavers share rounded abdomens and orange-to-brown and brown or black coloring. As a longer spider, orb weavers can appear intimidating to those with arachnophobia.
  
  

Running Spider

• Running spiders are unique in that the do not spin webs. They catch prey with amazing quickness. They are located mainly in the eastern half of the United States. The spiders have reddish heads and abdomens with lighter colored legs.
  
  

Southern Black Widow

• With a name that strikes fear into many, the black widow is represented throughout most regions in the United States. Female black widows have a strong venom harmful to humans. Males do not have potent venom and are sometimes eaten by their female companions. Black and shiny black widows have a red hour-glass shape on their abdomens.
  
  

Spined Micrathena Spider

• This spider has one of the more intriguing looks of any spider. It is located mainly in the central and eastern portions of the United States. Females have protective abdominal ridges to inhibit predators, though males lack these ridges. Residing in dense forests, these spiders have a brownish coloring that blends in as a camouflage.
  
  

Triangulate Cob Web Spider

• Common throughout much of the United States, including Connecticut, this spider is named from a triangle pattern on its abdomen. With poor eyesight, these spiders rely on web vibrations to detect food. Common house spiders, they live in dark corners and ironically eat the venomous brown recluse, which is feared by humans.
  
  

Tuft-Legged Orb Weaver

• This spider is located throughout much of the United States other than along the West Coast. It lives in forest undergrowth, shrubs and tall grasses and creates a vertical mesh web, distinct from the conventional orb weaver.