White Spiders in Georgia

Spiders play an extremely important role in the ecosystems found in the state of Georgia. These spiders exhibit a wide variety of features, both in terms of their physical characteristics as well as in their behaviors. Spiders in Georgia that could be described as 'white' display a similar diversity. There is one, however, that should be observed for potential dangers to your health. In this case, the whiteness pertains to the egg casing.

Identification

• According to the Insect Identification website, there are three different species that might be identified as white spiders in Georgia. However, none of them need be exclusively white. In other cases, the white coloring may be displayed only in certain features and not predominantly throughout the specimen you observe. These spiders also range in size and differ with regard to other characteristics as well. The three species that could be considered white are the golden silk orbweaver, the tan jumping spider and the trashline orbweaver.

Gold Silk Orbweaver

• As the name suggests, this spider will not usually appear as white throughout the entire body. Instead they are typically a mixture of gold, brown. yellow, orange or white hues. Males of this species are often quite small, measuring around one quarter inch long. Alternatively, the females of the species can appear rather menacing, sometimes reaching as much as three inches in length. Their torso shape is compared to that of a banana and patches of black hair can be located on all but the third set of their legs. The golden silk orbweaver resides in states throughout the southeastern United States.

Tan Jumping Spider

• While the base color of this species often appears as a brown or orange, the spider is covered with fuzzy white fur which can give them the appearance of being white. Unlike those spider species that depend on webs for their prey collection, the tan jumping spider leaps from its web in order to feed. According to Insect Identification.org, this species tends to be rather friendly upon encountering human beings. Naturally, this can change if you approach the creature too roughly. The geographic outreach of the tan jumping spider ranges throughout the continental United States and parts of Canada.

Trashline Orb Weaver

• Of all three species mentioned here, the trashline orb weaver appears the most white throughout the body, although this is certainly an off-white with measures of blacks and browns as well. This species opts to reside primarily in grasslands which may be why part of its geographic dispersal rests in the Midwest as well as the Southeast. The trashline orb weaver is known for its extra thick silk, a phenomenon studied for linkages to prey or mating benefits. This species gathers different materials and uses them to camouflage their location in the web, thus prompting the 'trashline' aspect of their name.

Caution

• None of the above species are particularly dangerous. However, if you live in Georgia and come across a spider egg casing that is white, be extremely careful. This may be the casing of a brown recluse spider's eggs and this spider is very dangerous. Bite symptoms include fever, chills, restlessness, severe damage to the area around the bite and many others. Symptoms can last for several days without reprieve. If you know or suspect you have been bitten by a brown recluse, seek professional medical attention immediately.