Insects and Arachnids

The redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) is one of Australia's most iconic arachnids. It's a member of the widow spider family, closely related to the black widow spider. They're famous for their distinctive red markings and potent venom.

By Ada Tseng

The regal jumping spider (Phidippus regius) is a fuzzy spider that's named for its incredible jumping ability and vivid colors. They have four forward-facing eyes, giving them better vision than other spiders.

By Ada Tseng

Let's talk about spider eggs, those tiny wonders of nature that hold the next generation of arachnids.

By Ada Tseng

The brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus) is a lesser-known relative of the infamous black widow. The first brown widow spider was discovered in Los Angeles in early 2000. A member of the cobweb spiders, it is now found in warm, urban areas worldwide.

By Ada Tseng

The trapdoor spider is one of the sneakiest hunters in the arachnid world. These clever spiders are named for their unique hunting strategy: They build burrows with hinged "doors" made of soil and twigs that they use to ambush and capture prey. These burrows are lined with silk for stability.

By Ada Tseng

The sun spider is known for its great speed and powerful jaw. Oddly enough, sun spiders, which are also called wind scorpions or camel spiders, are neither spiders nor scorpions. They belong to the order Solifugae, a group of fast-moving, highly specialized arachnids.

By Ada Tseng

Let's talk about the woodlouse spider, an arachnid with a unique hunting style and impressive jaws. Known scientifically as Dysdera crocata, this spider has a special knack for preying on woodlice, making it an unusually dominant predator in its ecosystem.

By Mack Hayden

Let's talk about one of the most misunderstood arachnids in your backyard: the garden spider. Known for their intricate webs and striking colors, these arachnids are some of the most beneficial spiders around, keeping insect populations under control.

By Mack Hayden

The sparklemuffin peacock spider (Maratus jactatus) is a tiny spider that lives up to its vivacious name. This dazzling arachnid was given its moniker in 2015 by UC Berkeley PhD student Maddie Girard after they were discovered in Wondul Range National Park in southern Queensland, Australia.

By Ada Tseng

Spiders are some of the most common creatures we share our homes with. While they may seem scary at first, most house spider species are harmless and even helpful, keeping pest insects under control.

By Talon Homer

The grass spider is one of of the most common critters you'll find in your backyard. Part of the Agelenopsis genus, these arachnids are masters at building funnel-shaped webs in dense vegetation and brush piles, where they lie in wait for prey.

By Talon Homer

Let's talk about the orb weaver spider, an arachnid renowned for its beautiful, circular webs. Found in gardens, forests and backyards around the world, orb weavers are some of the most common spiders and play a vital role in controlling insect populations.

By Zach Taras

The yellow sac spider is one of the most common spiders humans encounter, as they're often wandering indoors or hanging out in gardens. Scientists also believe they account for more human insect bites than any other spider.

By Ada Tseng

Let's talk about the funnel web spider, one of the most notorious arachnids in the world. Known for their fast-acting venom, funnel web spiders are both fascinating and intimidating.

By Zach Taras

The wolf spider is one of the most impressive hunters in the arachnid family. Known for their speed, excellent vision and fascinating parenting habits, these spiders are a critical part of ecosystems around the world.

By Zach Taras

The huntsman spider is one of the fastest and most agile arachnids on the planet. The species is often confused with tarantulas because of the hairy bodies, but their distinguishing trait is their long, angular, crab-like legs that help them move forward and sideways quickly.

By Ada Tseng

A spider web is much more than meets the eye. These intricate structures, created entirely from silk, allow spiders to capture prey, build shelter and even communicate. Spider webs are shockingly durable, made with materials that, gram for gram, are stronger than steel!

By Zach Taras

When you think of the most dangerous creatures on Earth, you might picture big animals like sharks or lions, but the insect world is filled with tiny critters capable of causing serious harm. The most dangerous insect can kill by spreading deadly diseases, and others achieve the same end with toxic venom.

By Zach Taras

When it comes to stinging insects, wasps are some of the most feared creatures out there. Unlike honeybees, which can only sting once, most wasps can sting multiple times, injecting painful venom with each strike.

By Nicole Antonio

Get ready to explore one of Africa's most notorious insects: the tsetse fly. These tiny flies may not look like much, but they play a major role in spreading sleeping sickness, aka human African trypanosomiasis (HAT).

By Nicole Antonio

If you're not a big fan of spiders, brace yourself, because the Brazilian wandering spider we're about to go into a lot of detail about one of the most dangerous spiders on the planet. With a venom that can cause intense pain and even some serious medical conditions, it's no wonder people give these critters a wide berth.

By Zach Taras

Assassin bugs (also known as ambush bugs or thread-legged bugs) are one of nature's stealthiest hunters, known for their precision strikes and ability to subdue prey with incredible efficiency.

By Talon Homer

Insects are everywhere, from the deepest jungles to your backyard. They may even make some unwanted cameo appearances in your kitchen. Ideally, those bugs would be smaller and less intimidating than the world's largest insect - a supersized creature you'll have to see to believe.

By Mack Hayden

These miniscule, winged insects can be a common sight when the weather turns warm, but they might also leave some people puzzled. After all, ants can't fly - can they?

By Marie Look

Bees can learn, make decisions and have a sense of smell 100 times more sensitive than ours. And most don't live in hives. Here are some cool facts about bees.

By Stephen Buchmann