Spiders in High Park

Insects and Arachnids of High Park / Wildlife of Toronto's High Park

by High Park Nature

Spiders are a fascinating and critical part of all terrestrial ecosystems. They are voracious predators of insects and pests, such as mosquito larvae and aphids.

Spiders build a variety of webs, depending on the type of spider. These include the familiar orbwebs, plus meshwebs, cobwebs, sheetwebs and funnelwebs. Fishing spiders and crab spiders do not build a web; instead they are ambush predators.

Hacklemesh weaver, Callobius bennetti. Photo: Karen Yukich

Orbweb. Photo: Karen Yukich

Spider web. Photo: Karen Yukich

Yellow Garden Spider, Argiope aurantia. Photo: Karen Yukich

Red Velvet Mite. Photo: Karen Yukich

Goldenrod Crab Spider, Misumena vatia. Photo: Karen Yukich

Cross Orbweaver, Araneus diadematus. Photo: Krista Adams

Dimorphic Jumping Spider, Maevia inclemens. Photo: Krista Adams

Long-jawed Orbweaver, Tetragnatha sp. Photo: Karen Yukich

Orbweaver spiderlings. Photo: Karen Yukich

Sources

News & Sightings

Sakura – Cherry Trees in High Park How this Japanese tradition came to High Park.

High Park’s cherry trees are blooming! There is no vehicle or parking access to High Park during the cherry blossom peak bloom period. Only Wheel-Trans vehicles will be allowed during this period. For more information, including a map of locations, virtual…

Traditional and Prescribed Burn Thursday, April 17, 2025

A traditional and prescribed burn will take place in High Park on Thursday, April 17, 2025. This burn is part of an ongoing practice to manage and care for the land, specifically aimed at restoring the Black Oak Savannah ecosystem.…

Finding and Caring for Native Plants Native plant sales, Resources and Community Groups

Now is the time to think about adding more native plants to your garden to help create a haven for wildlife including pollinators, insects and birds. When planning your garden think about how the plants provide food and shelter throughout…

Traditional and Prescribed Burn Spring 2025 Advance Notice

The City of Toronto in collaboration with Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle (ILSC) is once again preparing for the annual traditional and prescribed burn program this spring in High Park. Here is the advanced burn notice. The map on the notice…

High Park Christmas Bird Count 2024 December 15, 2024

by Sean Fraser Toronto’s 100th Christmas Bird Count took place on Sunday, December 15, 2024. The High Park sector recorded 50 species – a bit higher than the average of 45 species since 1990. No new species were added to…

by High Park Nature

Spiders are a fascinating and critical part of all terrestrial ecosystems. They are voracious predators of insects and pests, such as mosquito larvae and aphids.

Hacklemesh weaver, Callobius bennetti. Photo: Karen Yukich

Orbweb. Photo: Karen Yukich

Spider web. Photo: Karen Yukich

Yellow Garden Spider, Argiope aurantia. Photo: Karen Yukich

Red Velvet Mite. Photo: Karen Yukich

Goldenrod Crab Spider, Misumena vatia. Photo: Karen Yukich

Cross Orbweaver, Araneus diadematus. Photo: Krista Adams

Dimorphic Jumping Spider, Maevia inclemens. Photo: Krista Adams

Long-jawed Orbweaver, Tetragnatha sp. Photo: Karen Yukich

Orbweaver spiderlings. Photo: Karen Yukich

Fact & Fiction

Spiders get a bad rap! They are often portrayed as scary creatures. “Arachnophobia”, fear of spiders, is a common phobia.The truth is, the vast majority of spiders are not harmful to humans. The infamous Brown Recluse has never even been recorded in Ontario. Spiders are not aggressive by nature and will only bite when defending themselves, for example if you pick one up and try to crush it.

Spiders are very diverse and fascinating! They are also voracious eaters of insects, including pests like mosquitos and aphids. So they play a very important role in the ecosystem.