List of arachnids of Utah facts for kids

Arachnids are a fascinating group of animals that include creatures like spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks. They are not insects, but belong to their own special class! In the U.S. state of Utah, you can find over 600 different kinds of arachnids, living in all sorts of places from deserts to mountains. Let's explore some of the amazing arachnids that call Utah home.

Mites: Tiny Arachnids All Around Us

Clover mite

Red spider mite

Mites are super tiny arachnids, often so small you can barely see them without a magnifying glass! They have eight legs, just like spiders, but their bodies usually look like one round or oval shape. Many mites live in soil or on plants, and some can even live on animals.

Here are a few types of mites found in Utah:

• Bindweed gall mite (Aceria malherbae)
• Clover mite (Bryobia praetiosa) - These tiny reddish-brown mites are often seen crawling on houses, especially in spring or fall.
• Pearleaf blister mite (Eriophyes pyri)
• Red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) - Also known as "two-spotted spider mite," these can be a problem for garden plants.
• Red velvet mite (thousands of species) - These bright red, fuzzy mites are often seen after rain.
• Spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis)

Scorpions: Desert Hunters with a Sting

Giant hairy scorpion under UV light

Scorpions are well-known for their long, segmented tail that ends with a stinger. They also have two large pincers, which they use to grab their prey. Most scorpions are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. They often glow under ultraviolet (UV) light, which makes them easy to spot with a blacklight!

Some scorpions you might find in Utah include:

• Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda) - This is one of the most venomous scorpions in North America, but serious stings are rare.
• Giant desert hairy scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) - This is the largest scorpion in North America, known for its hairy body.
• Northern scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus) - This is the most common scorpion found in Utah.
• Yellow ground scorpion (Vaejovis confusus)

Spiders: Weavers and Hunters of Utah

Western black widow spider

Bold jumping spider

Hobo spider

Salt Lake County brown tarantula

Wolf spider with spiderlings

Cellar spider (daddy long-legs)

Spiders are probably the most famous arachnids! They have eight legs and can spin silk to make webs, egg sacs, or even to travel through the air. Utah is home to many different kinds of spiders, each with its own unique way of life.

Here are some of the spiders you might see in Utah:

• American grass spider (Agelenopsis spp.) - These spiders build funnel-shaped webs in grass and bushes.
• Bold jumping spider (Phidippus audax) - These fuzzy, often colorful spiders have excellent eyesight and hunt by pouncing on their prey.
• Cat-faced spider (Araneus gemmoides) - Named for the two horn-like bumps on their abdomen, these spiders build large orb webs.
• Cellar spiders (Pholcus phalangioides) - Often called "daddy long-legs," these spiders have very long, thin legs and build messy webs in corners.
• False black widow (Steatoda grossa) - These spiders look similar to black widows but are usually less dangerous.
• Hobo spider (Tegenaria agrestis) - These spiders build funnel webs and are sometimes found indoors.
• Western black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus) - Famous for the red hourglass shape on their belly, female black widows have a venomous bite.
• Wolf spider (Hogna spp.) - These fast-moving spiders hunt on the ground and often carry their babies on their backs.
• Salt Lake County brown tarantula (Aphonopelma iodius) - Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders. This species is native to Utah and is generally harmless to humans.
• Woodlouse spider (Dysdera crocata) - These spiders have a reddish-brown body and pale abdomen, and they hunt woodlice (also known as roly-polies).

Other Cool Arachnids

Opiliones, or daddy-long-legs.

Besides mites, scorpions, and spiders, Utah is also home to other interesting arachnids.

• Opiliones (harvestman, "daddy long-legs") - While they are often mistaken for spiders, harvestmen are a different type of arachnid. They have one fused body section and cannot produce silk or venom.
• Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) - Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of animals. This species can be found in wooded areas.
• Spinose ear tick (Otobius megnini) - This tick is known to infest the ears of livestock and other animals.