Wolf spiders are robust, hairy spiders that have shorter legs than the arachnids they are sometimes mistaken with, such as nursery web, brown recluse and fishing spiders. According to the University of Michigan, about 50 different species of wolf spiders reside in Michigan. With bodies that grow up to 2 inches wide, they are a variety of camouflage colors, mostly with black, brown or gray patterns on their bodies. They are often seen moving quickly across open areas. Wolf spiders don't spin webs; they live in burrows in gardens, wooded areas, sand dunes and coastal areas, moving into homes and garages when weather turns cooler in autumn.
Nursery-web spiders are hairy, camouflage colored arachnids, often earth-colored with black, gray, brown or white patterns. They typically have bodies 1 inch long and leg spreads that reach up to 3 inches. They strongly resemble wolf spiders except for a difference in eye patterns. Rather than three even rows of eyes, nursery-web spiders have an uneven eye pattern. Protective webs are built solely for the purpose of guarding their young, and nursery-web spiders can be seen walking on water to seek out water insects on which they feed. Fishing spiders are one kind of nursery-web spider that are often found near lakes, ponds and streams. They hang on vegetation over the water to seek the water insects and small frogs they feed on. Colors and patterns vary among different species.
Michigan orb weaver spiders, such as the black and yellow argiope spider, build large circular webs in fields and gardens. They prefer sunny areas sheltered from the wind. Females, which grow almost 1 1/2 inches long are larger than the 3/4 inch males. Black and yellow argiopes have a small front body section covered with silver hair and a large oval black and yellow abdomen. Legs are black with red or yellow bands.
Black Widow spiders are the only poisonous spider native to Michigan. Adult females measure about 1 1/2 inches fully grown with males only half as large. Black widows are a species of cobweb spiders that build irregular webs inside or outdoors in sheltered areas. They have a round, shiny black abdomen with two inverted red triangles shaped like a divided hourglass on the underside. Often found in boxes, near woodpiles or under eaves, black widows are not aggressive but can deliver a painful bite full of toxins that requires medical attention.