Missouri Department of Conservation

Spiders, Crayfish and Scorpions

Crayfish, spiders and ticks are examples of arthropods, which are invertebrate animals with jointed legs and a segmented body. The phylum Arthropoda has more species of animals than any other phylum on earth. Insects are the largest group of arthropods. Arachnids (for example, spiders, chiggers, scorpions, mites) and crustaceans (for example, crayfish, pillbugs, freshwater shrimp) are other arthropods in Missouri.

Crayfish

Colorful, quirky and fascinating, crayfish (also called crawfish and crawdads) play a significant role in Missouri's diverse aquatic ecosystems, local economies and heritage cuisines.

Spiders

Missouri is home to more than 300 species of spiders, and most are our friends. They control insect pests in our farms and gardens. This page helps you get to know and appreciate Missouri's most common spiders.

Scorpions

Young scorpions are pale yellowish-brown, usually with two lengthwise dark stripes on their abdomen; older scorpions are uniform dark brown with the stripes faint or lacking.