Barn Funnel Weaver, Domestic House Spider
Tegenaria domestica / Eratigena spp.
Agelenidae (Funnel Web Weavers), Order Araneae
Physical Description
Moderate to large built spider with a distinct elongated oval abdomen and a robust, slightly flattened cephalothorax. The body is covered in fine setae (hairs), giving it a velvety or matte texture rather than a shiny appearance. Females are generally larger and heavier-bodied than males.
Size Estimate
Body length ranges from 6 to 14 mm for females, with a leg span reaching up to 3 to 4 cm. This appears to be an adult or sub-adult specimen.
Coloration & Markings
Predominantly brown, beige, and greyish tones. The cephalothorax features characteristic longitudinal dark brown stripes, while the abdomen exhibits a mottled pattern with chevron or herringbone markings down the dorsal center.
Web Type
Builds a sheet-like web that funnels into a tubular retreat where the spider waits for prey, typically constructed in corners of rooms, basements, or near baseboards.
Eye Arrangement
Eight small eyes arranged in two slightly curved, nearly parallel horizontal rows of four across the front of the cephalothorax, typical of the Agelenidae family.
Leg Characteristics
Long, robust legs covered in noticeable spines and dark banding. The legs are held sprawled outward, adapted for rapid sprinting across surfaces rather than climbing sheer vertical smooth walls efficiently.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Neurotoxic venom tailored for subduing invertebrate prey. It is low in toxicity to humans and generally incapable of causing serious systemic harm.
Medical Significance
Not medically significant. Bites are rare, occur only in self-defense, and typically result in mild, localized discomfort, slight swelling, or redness akin to a mild bee sting.
Safety Recommendations
Avoid handling with bare hands if nervous; instead, capture the spider safely using a glass and a piece of cardboard to gently relocate it outdoors or to a garage.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Cosmopolitan distribution found worldwide in temperate regions. Highly adapted to human habitations, frequently encountered indoors in spare rooms, cellars, garages, as well as outdoors in woodpiles and outbuildings.
Behavior & Temperament
Non-aggressive, fast-moving nocturnal hunters. They typically retreat rapidly into their funnel webs or dark crevices when disturbed, only biting defensively if trapped or firmly pressed against human skin.
Diet & Prey
Generalist predator feeding primarily on crawling household insects such as flies, silverfish, cockroaches, beetles, and other spiders.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round indoors, but most commonly noticed in late summer and autumn when mature males wander in search of females.
Description
The Domestic House Spider is a familiar yet harmless roommate in many homes worldwide. With its mottled brown patterned back and rapid bursts of speed, it quietly patrols corners and floorboards, serving as an effective natural pest controller against unwanted household insects.
Key Features
Long, spiny, banded legs; longitudinal stripes on the cephalothorax; chevron markings on the abdomen; and the construction of a characteristic sheet web ending in a funnel-shaped retreat.
Similar Species
Wolf spiders (Lycosidae) which do not build webs and carry egg sacs on their spinners, and aggressive house spiders (Eratigena agrestis) which require microscopic examination of genitalia for definitive differentiation.
Life Cycle
Females construct silk egg sacs in hidden areas near their webs in late summer or autumn. Spiderlings hatch and disperse to mature over one to two years, undergoing multiple molts.
Ecological Importance
Acts as an important natural predator controlling populations of household insect pests and serving as a food source for larger predators like birds and rodents.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, but populations are secure, widespread, and thriving globally alongside human settlements.
Interesting Facts
These spiders are exceptional runners and can reach impressive speeds for short bursts. They often venture out of their retreats mostly during late summer and autumn in search of mates.
Photography Tips
Use natural or diffused lighting with a fast shutter speed to capture details of the leg banding and dorsal patterns while keeping a safe distance.
User Notes
In spare room
Identified: 2026-09-06T21:07:08.661357