UOG Horizons: Knowledge for life - A web of misconceptions: Unraveling myths about Guam鈥檚 spiders

UOG Horizons: Knowledge for life - A web of misconceptions: Unraveling myths about Guam鈥檚 spiders

UOG Horizons: Knowledge for life - A web of misconceptions: Unraveling myths about Guam鈥檚 spiders


10/22/2025
Common Spiders image
COMMON SPIDERS: Common spiders on Guam: 1) Huntsman spider (Heteropoda); 2) Hunstman spider (Olios); 3) Banana spider (Argiope appensa); 4) Lynx spider (Oxyopes); 5) Jumping spider (Salticidae); 6) Orb weaver (Neoscona); 7) Crab spider (Thomisus); 8) Spitting spider (Scytodidae) feeding on a cockroach; 9) Argiope feeding on a beetle; 10) Long-legged orb weaver (Leucauge); 11) Tent spider (Cyrtophora); 12) Kleptoparasitic spider (Argyrodes). All photos by Alfred Daniel Johnson. Photo No. 10 by G.Curt Fiedler.
Jumping Spider image
JUMPING SPIDER: A jumping spider (Myrmarachne sp.) that looks like and mimics an ant. Its eight legs make it a spider, whereas ants have six. Photo by Kai Anderson, Harvest Christian Academy
Mildly Venemous Spider image
MILDLY VENEMOUS: The Cheiracanthium species of spider has a mildly venemous bite to humans that may cause nausea, but it is not considered. Photo by Alfred Daniel Johnson
Black and Brown Widow Spiders image
BLACK AND BROWN WIDOW: The black widow, left, and brown widow, right, of the Latrodectus species - shown here in photos not taken in Guam - are only potentially dangerous spiders known to be in Guam, and they do not appear to thrive here. The spiders occasionally arrive in shipments from elsewhere. Even if encountered, widow spiders are shy and generally deliver a dangerous bite only when roughly handled. Photos by Alfred Daniel Johnson
Look into my eyes image
LOOK INTO MY EYES: Illustrations by Ava Rios

When a spider appears in the corner of a room, the typical response is panic - and often, a swift attempt to squash it. These eight-legged creatures tend to strike fear in many. In fact, arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, is one of the most common phobias worldwide (making for great Halloween decorations this time of year!).

But should we really be afraid of spiders? Are they as dangerous as we think? And what role do they play in our homes, gardens and ecosystems? Let鈥檚 take a closer look at these misunderstood neighbors.

Read the full story on The Guam Daily Post