A red and white spider with horns is likely to be either a spiny-backed orb weaver or an arrowhead orb weaver. Both spiders are similar in size and behavior, but they look very different. They also tend to live in shrubs or low trees, especially near water.Know More
Both types of spiders spin webs to catch their prey. However, the spiny-backed orb weaver adds tufts of silk to the web that serve as warnings to birds to prevent damage to the web. Arrowhead orb weavers spin a standard web.
The spiny-backed orb weaver is wider than it is long, ranging from 0.4 to 0.5 inches in width, but only 0.2 inches to 0.35 inches in length. The arrowhead gets its name from its triangular shape. They are approximately 0.37 inches long. The spiny-backed orb weaver has six red spines, or horns, around the perimeter of its abdomen. The arrowhead has two red spikes protruding from the back of the abdomen.
Both spiders come in a range of colors. The spiny-backed orb weaver typically has a white abdomen with black dots and red spines, while the arrowhead has a white-yellow abdomen with black spots. The horns are red at the roots and black at the tips.
A jumping spider is black, and the spot on its back is often white. However, some of these spiders have an orange mark instead of a white one. Jumping spiders frequently have black-and-white striping on their legs that helps camouflage them against trees.Full Answer >
Although it is not the only example, a common spider with a white dot on its back is Phidippus audax. One of the jumping spiders, it is fuzzy, black and about ¾ inch in length, with a distinct but irregular spot ranging from white to orange on its back.Full Answer >
The white-spotted jumping spider, or daring jumping spider, is characterized by its plump, fuzzy body, black or dark gray coloration and an abundance of white spots scattered across its legs and abdomen. Males usually reach a length of less than 1/2 inch, although females can exceed this figure.Full Answer >
A black spider with a white spot on its back is most likely Phidippus audax, a member of the Salticidae family. The arachnid is commonly known as the daring jumping spider and the bold jumping spider.Full Answer >