Photos and video: What happens when a bunch of spider lovers gather?
The American Arachnological Society's 2026 annual conference was held July 12-July 16, 2026, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Experts from all over the world participated, sharing research and stories.
UC Berkeley Ph.D candidate Kathryn Nagel peeks over her binoculars during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Spring Creek Audubon Center in Lincoln. As a part of this year’s conference hosted by the UNL Hebets Lab, society members from all across the world were welcomed to tour the tall grass prairie preserve and collect and document local arachnid specimens.
Seen from the above, guests use tools to collect specimens from reeds and plants growing in the water during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Spring Creek Audubon Center in Lincoln.
UNL Ph.D. student Yi-Hang Park shows off a spider during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center near Denton.Â
UNL Ph.D. student Yi-Hang Park gathers specimens with a net during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center near Denton. Scientists from around the world gathered in Lincoln to share spider research, challenge misconceptions and celebrate the fascinating biology of arachnids. Researchers were able to explore the prairie to document arachnids.Â
UNC Charlotte grad students Ella Kellner nets specimens during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Spring Creek Audubon Center in Lincoln. As a part of this year’s conference hosted by the UNL Hebets Lab, society members from all across the world were welcomed to tour the tall grass prairie preserve and collect and document local arachnid specimens.
Framed through the silhouette of a bridge, a bird sits atop some bush during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Spring Creek Audubon Center in Lincoln. As a part of this year’s conference hosted by the UNL Hebets Lab, society members from all across the world were welcomed to tour the tall grass prairie preserve and collect and document local arachnid specimens.
Marian Kirst takes a macro image of a spider during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Spring Creek Audubon Center in Lincoln. As a part of this year’s conference hosted by the UNL Hebets Lab, society members from all across the world were welcomed to tour the tall grass prairie preserve and collect and document local arachnid specimens.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte grad students Ella Kellner, left, and Hannah Faye collect specimens during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center near Denton.
Foliage grows around a pond during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Spring Creek Audubon Center in Lincoln. As a part of this year’s conference hosted by the UNL Hebets Lab, society members from all across the world were welcomed to tour the tall grass prairie preserve and collect and document local arachnid specimens.
Thomas Naef insects during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Spring Creek Audubon Center in Lincoln. As a part of this year’s conference hosted by the UNL Hebets Lab, society members from all across the U.S. and beyond were welcomed to tour the tall grass prairie preserve after-hours and to collect and document local arachnid specimens.
UNL Ph.D student YiHang Park swings gathers specimens during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Spring Creek Audubon Center in Lincoln. As a part of this year’s conference hosted by the UNL Hebets Lab, society members from all across the U.S. and beyond were welcomed to tour the tall grass prairie preserve after-hours and to collect and document local arachnid specimens.
Light catches in the grass during the annual conference for the American Arachnological Society on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Spring Creek Audubon Center in Lincoln. As a part of this year’s conference hosted by the UNL Hebets Lab, society members from all across the U.S. and beyond were welcomed to tour the tall grass prairie preserve after-hours and to collect and document local arachnid specimens.
Scientists from around the world gathered at UNL to share spider research, challenge misconceptions and celebrate the fascinating biology of arachnids.
