The Woodlouse Spider is a medium-sized, distinctively colored spider with a bright red-orange cephalothorax, gray abdomen, and massive, oversize chelicerae adapted for piercing the tough cuticle of pill bugs (woodlice), which are its primary prey. Introduced from Europe, it is now common under logs, stones, and garden debris across much of North America. Despite alarming looking jaws, its bite is mild.
Best time to see a Woodlouse Spider
The best time to see a Woodlouse Spider is March–July, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 16,440 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Woodlouse Spider? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Woodlouse Spider sightings near you
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