Spiders of the Southern Appalachians

4 Credit Hours
July 20–31, 2026
Instructors: Dr. Sarah Stellwagen, UNC–Charlotte & Dr. Alex Sweger, Hartwick College

This course offers an immersive introduction to spider systematics, morphology, behavior, physiology, and ecology. Each day begins with morning and/or evening lectures and discussions that build a comprehensive foundation in arachnology.

Afternoons are dedicated to fieldwork across the Southern Appalachians, with the goal of assembling a substantial collection of the region’s remarkably diverse spider fauna while observing ecological interactions and behavioral patterns. Students typically encounter 28–30 spider families during the course.

Evenings provide focused time in the lab for species identification and collection work, and students are expected to devote sufficient time to developing their taxonomic skills. The course also incorporates spider videos, informal discussions, and opportunities to explore a variety of topics in spider biology and evolution.

Lecture and discussion sessions will cover:

An introduction to spiders, including family-level diversity and collecting techniques

External morphology and characters used in identification

Spider systematics, phylogeny, paleontology, and the history of spider taxonomy

Behavior, ecology, and biodiversity

Internal morphology and physiology, including digestion, toxins, pheromones, and silk chemistry and production

Designed for students, researchers, and naturalists alike, this course provides a deep and hands-on understanding of one of the most ecologically significant—and often overlooked—groups in the Southern Appalachians.