Barn Funnel Weaver, Common House Spider
Tegenaria domestica
Agelenidae (Funnel Weavers), Order Araneae
Physical Description
Robust body with a distinctly patterned cephalothorax and elongated, slightly tapered abdomen. Covered in fine, velvety setae.
Size Estimate
Body length around 6 to 12 mm with a leg span up to 30 mm; typical adult size.
Coloration & Markings
Brownish-grey base color with dark longitudinal stripes on the cephalothorax and a checkered or mottled pattern of lighter and darker brown patches on the abdomen.
Web Type
Sheet web with a tubular retreat or funnel at one end, usually spun in corners or dark crevices.
Eye Arrangement
Eight small, dark eyes arranged in two slightly curved horizontal rows of four.
Leg Characteristics
Long, moderately thick legs with noticeable spination and dark banding rings.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains mild digestive enzymes and neurotoxic components used to immobilize small prey insects.
Medical Significance
Harmless to humans. Bites are extremely rare, not medically significant, and generally result in minor local irritation similar to a mild mosquito bite.
Safety Recommendations
No special precautions needed. To remove from living areas, gently capture with a cup and paper and release outdoors.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Cosmopolitan distribution; found globally in human-made structures, cellars, barns, garages, and sheds.
Behavior & Temperament
Reclusive, fast-running ambush predator that rarely leaves its funnel web unless disturbed or seeking a mate.
Diet & Prey
Insects including flies, roaches, woodlice, and other spiders caught in its sheet web.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round indoors, with mature males most commonly encountered wandering in late summer and autumn searching for mates.
Description
The Barn Funnel Weaver is a familiar and harmless indoor resident known for its sheet webs built in dark corners. Though fast moving, it is timid and prefers to retreat rather than confront humans, serving as a helpful natural pest controller.
Key Features
Distinctive longitudinal stripes on the carapace, mottled brownish abdomen, and prominent funnel-shaped web retreat.
Similar Species
Hobo Spider (Tegenaria agrestis) and Giant House Spider (Eratigena atrica); distinguished by subtle structural and geographic variations.
Life Cycle
Females produce disc-shaped silk egg sacs in autumn, guarding them until spiderlings emerge in spring to undergo multiple molts over a multi-year lifespan.
Ecological Importance
Acts as an effective predator of household insect pests, helping to regulate populations of flies, roaches, and other arthropods indoors.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, highly secure due to widespread commensalism with human habitats.
Interesting Facts
Despite their intimidating speed, these spiders have very poor eyesight and rely primarily on vibrations transmitted through their silk webs.
Photography Tips
Use natural or diffused side lighting to highlight the leg spination and cephalothorax stripes while maintaining a safe distance.
Identified: 2026-10-05T15:45:58.665073