List of the largest spiders in Europe
This list contains the largest species from the order of the web spiders (Araneae) in Europe . The height here means the body size. There are spider species that appear larger due to their leg length (e.g. trembling spiders ), these are not considered here. The specified maximum sizes refer to female animals, as these are always larger than the males. For many species, for example from the genus Hogna, no size information can be found.
| Art | family | Occurrence in Europe | Maximum size | Remarks | photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaetopelma olivaceum | Tarantulas | Cyprus | approx. 6.0 cm | Largest spider found in Europe. |
|
| Greek tube spider ( Eresus walckenaeri ) | Tube spiders | Italy , Greece , Bulgaria | 4.0 cm | Largest spider on mainland Europe, with females much larger than males. | link |
| Deserta tarantula ( Hogna ingens ) | Wolf spiders | Deserta Grande ( Madeira ) | 4.0 cm | Largest known wolf spider in the world, is considered threatened. | link |
| Spanish funnel- web spider ( Macrothele calpeiana ) | Macrothelidae | Spain , Portugal , Italy | 3.7 cm | Bite can cause circulatory problems, as the only spider protected in Europe. |
.jpg)
|
| South Russian tarantula ( Lycosa singoriensis ) | Wolf spiders | Eastern Europe , in the west to the Czech Republic and Austria | 3.5 cm | Largest spider also found in Central Europe , very rare and strictly protected in Austria . |
|
| Warmhaus Giant Crab Spider ( Heteropoda venatoria ) | Giant crab spiders | Europe , in the northern latitudes synanthropic | 3.4 cm | Originally native to the tropics of Asia , it has spread almost worldwide and inhabits greenhouses and other heated facilities in climatically unfavorable areas . |
_(6747996233).jpg)
|
| Apulian tarantula ( Lycosa tarantula ) | Wolf spiders | Italy , South of France , Balkan Peninsula | 3.0 cm | There are many rumors about the actually harmless species ( tarantism ), the most famous tarantula. |
|
| Porto Santo tarantula ( Hogna schmitzi ) | Wolf spiders | Porto Santo ( Madeira ) | 3.0 cm | Endemic to Porto Santo, unlike the Deserta tarantula, not threatened despite its small distribution area. | link |
| European tarantula ( Ischnocolus valentinus ) | Tarantulas | Spain , Sicily | 3.0 cm | The only tarantula on mainland Europe. | link |
| Amblyocarenum walckenaeri | Cyrtaucheniidae | Spain , Sicily | 3.0 cm | Largest trapdoor spider in Europe. | link |
| Argiope lobata | Real orb web spiders | Southern Europe , north to Slovakia | 2.5 cm | Largest orb web spider in Europe. |
|
| Edged water spider ( Dolomedes plantarius ) | Hunting spiders | Europe | 2.5 cm | Largest naturally occurring spider in Germany and Northern Europe , severely threatened and strictly protected in many countries due to the decline in their habitats. |
|
| Large angle spider ( Eratigena atrica ) | Funnel spiders | Europe | 2.0 cm | Largest naturally occurring spider in Europe, which is common everywhere and also lives synanthropically . Adaptable culture follower . |
|
