• There are very few venomous spiders in Ohio.black spider image by Artyom Davidov from Fotolia.com
  
  There are not many species of venomous spiders in Ohio, and overall occurrences are rare. Of these species, none are considered deadly to humans. If you are bitten by a spider, stay calm and try to identify the species--this will help if you decide to seek medical attention. In Ohio there are but a few suspects.
  
  

Black Widow

• Latrodectus mactans, the black widow spider, is among the most feared spiders in North America, but only the female's bite is venomous. She can be identified by a black, shiny spherical abdomen and two connected red triangles (like an hourglass) on the underside. Though the black widow's bite is rarely mortal in humans, it is notoriously painful and may be accompanied by nausea, fever, tremors and labored breathing.
  
  

Mediterranean Recluse

• While the brown recluse is native to the United States, Ohio has more confirmed reports of its cousin, the Mediterranean recluse (loxosceles rufescens). The Mediterranean recluse has established populations in several Gulf states. It may arrive in Ohio by "hitchhiking" in on imported goods from states to the south. The bite is painful, but not deadly to humans. Reactions to the bite include redness or a necrotic lesion accompanied by nausea, fever, chills or shock.
  
  

Brown Recluse

• Though not commonly found in Ohio, there have been cases of the brown recluse, loxosceles reclusa, being found in the state, probably due to the spiders "hitchhiking" on materials imported from southern states. These spiders may be referred to as "violin" or "fiddleback" spiders because of the violin-shaped mark on the top of their cephalothorax (fused thorax and head). The bite of the recluse is not deadly, but may produce reactions ranging from mild skin irritation to a necrotic lesion accompanied by nausea, fever, chills or shock.
  
  

Golden Silk

• The golden silk spider, Nephila clavipes, is another spider more commonly found in the southeastern states. It can be identified by a yellow abdomen and silver carapace (front end). Its bite causes mild pain and redness, not unlike a bee sting.