Barn Funnel Weaver, Common House Spider, Giant House Spider
Tegenaria domestica / Eratigena atrica
Agelenidae (Funnel Weavers), Order Araneae. Characterized by long spinnerets and building funnel-shaped sheet webs.
Physical Description
Robust body with a brown cephalothorax featuring darker longitudinal stripes and an oval, brownish-grey abdomen with mottled or chevron patterns.
Size Estimate
Body length ranges from 6 to 18 mm with a leg span up to 45 to 75 mm depending on exact species, representing an adult or near-adult specimen.
Coloration & Markings
Dull brown, beige, or greyish base coloration. The cephalothorax features distinct darker brown stripes, and the abdomen has a mottled pattern often forming a series of chevrons down the center.
Web Type
Builds a flat sheet web that leads into a tubular retreat or funnel where the spider waits for prey, typically constructed in corners, near floors, or structural crevices.
Eye Arrangement
Eight small eyes of roughly equal size arranged in two slightly curved horizontal rows across the front of the cephalothorax.
Leg Characteristics
Long, robust legs covered in fine hairs and visible spines, lacking strong banding patterns, held in a flattened, spread-out posture typical of funnel weavers.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains mild neurotoxic venom used to subdue insect prey, but it is generally ineffective against humans.
Medical Significance
Harmless to humans. Bites are extremely rare, typically only occurring if trapped against the skin, resulting in minor localized redness and mild discomfort similar to a mosquito bite.
Safety Recommendations
No special precautions needed. If relocation is desired, gently guide the spider into a container using a piece of card and release it outdoors.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Cosmopolitan distribution. Found indoors in houses, basements, sheds, and garages, as well as outdoors in dark crevices, under rocks, and in woodpiles.
Behavior & Temperament
Reclusive, fast-moving, and nocturnal. They are non-aggressive and will quickly flee toward their retreat when disturbed.
Diet & Prey
Generalist predators feeding on crawling and flying insects such as flies, mosquitoes, roaches, and other spiders.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round indoors, with mature males frequently wandering out in late summer and autumn in search of mates.
Description
A common and beneficial resident of human dwellings, this robust spider is well adapted to indoor life. With its long legs and characteristic sheet web tucked into corners, it plays a valuable role in keeping household insect populations in check without posing any threat to people.
Key Features
Long prominent spinnerets at the rear of the abdomen, distinctive longitudinal stripes on the cephalothorax, and a flat sheet web terminating in a funnel retreat.
Similar Species
Wolf spiders (Lycosidae) which do not build webs and have a different eye arrangement, and recluses (Loxosceles) which lack stripes on the cephalothorax and feature a violin pattern.
Life Cycle
Females produce disc-shaped silk egg sacs in autumn, guarding them until they hatch. Spiderlings mature over one to two years, with adults living for several years.
Ecological Importance
Acts as an effective natural pest controller in homes and outbuildings, helping to regulate populations of nuisance insects.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, highly abundant, secure, and thriving globally alongside human habitation.
Interesting Facts
Despite their intimidating speed and size, giant and common house spiders are remarkably timid and prefer running away over confrontation.
Photography Tips
Use natural light or an external flash from a low angle to capture the body textures and cephalothorax markings without startling the spider into fleeing.
Identified: 2026-10-24T03:23:46.233937