Butterfly Pavilion’s annual Spiders Around the World exhibit will launch on Sept. 21, showcasing exotic varieties of eight-legged arthropods to educate visitors and reduce the stigma around creepy-crawly critters.

For many, spiders are unwelcome house guests at best and terrifying at worst, but for the folks at Butterfly Pavilion, the critters offer a perfect educational opportunity.

“Our goal is always empathy with invertebrates,” Entomology Manager Cori Brant said. “You don’t have to leave here thinking tarantulas and spiders are your favorite animal, but understanding how they work and live in our ecosystem is super important.”

Each year the scientists and conservationists at the Pavilion host Spiders Around the World as an opportunity to showcase all things spiders — just in time for Halloween. Although some spiders will be showcased in their enclosures, the 80-foot Spider Zone of free-roaming orb weavers is one of the main attractions.

“The orb weavers are high up in the trees, and you’ll be able to walk around and see them in their webs above you,” Brant said. “You don’t have to worry about stepping on them or having them in your face or on you.”

This year the Pavilion will welcome a new addition to its Spider Zone, the giant Malaysian orb weaver. Some other exciting spiders that will be on display in their enclosures include the six-eyed sand spider and the Amazon blue bloom tarantula, who is known for her eccentric personality — and always tipping over her water bowl.

“We have some awesome spiders this year, and some really spicy personalities,” Brant said. “We’re very excited to have them out since this is often the only time of year guests can see them.”

The majority of the spiders on exhibit live behind the scenes in carefully curated enclosures where they’re cared for by staff. The Halloween exhibit is their chance to meet the public and teach guests about the importance of invertebrates in the ecosystem. The limited-time exhibition is up through Halloween, Oct. 31.

“There’s so many cool stories in so many cultures that center around spiders,” Senior Marketing and Communications Manager Michael Abante said. “Telling those stories and educating visitors is important in what we call the ‘de-ickifying’ process.”

The yearly exhibit also includes a spiderling nursery full of baby tarantulas, an homage to the Pavilion’s ongoing conservation efforts.

Other special events will include after-hours flashlight tours and trick-or-treating. Kids can don Halloween costumes and visit the Pavilion for Bug-A-Boo, collecting tricks and treats among butterflies and other creatures. Bug-A-Boo takes place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27 and on Halloween, from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31. The event is included with admission.

For more information about Spiders Around the World and to purchase tickets, visit butterflies.org.