Barn Funnel Weaver, House Spider, Hobo Spider
Tegenaria domestica (likely) or Eratigena agrestis
Agelenidae (Funnel-Weavers), Order Araneae. Key family characteristics include the construction of sheet-like funnel webs and prominent, elongated rear spinnerets.
Physical Description
The spider has a somewhat flattened body with a distinct oval-shaped abdomen and a slightly longer, tapered cephalothorax. The physique is robust, typical of funnel-weavers, with a light covering of fine hairs.
Size Estimate
Body length is estimated around 10 to 15 millimeters, with a leg span reaching roughly 30 to 40 millimeters. This appears to be an adult or sub-adult specimen.
Coloration & Markings
Ground coloration is generally brownish, featuring darker brown or grayish mottling and chevron patterns along the dorsal surface of the abdomen. The cephalothorax typically exhibits darker longitudinal stripes.
Web Type
Builds a characteristic dense, non-sticky sheet web that terminates in a tubular retreat or funnel where the spider waits for prey.
Eye Arrangement
Eight eyes arranged in two slightly curved horizontal rows of four, all relatively uniform in size, typical for the Agelenidae family.
Leg Characteristics
Long, tapered legs with noticeable spines and faint dark banding. The legs are held in a sprawled posture, optimized for rapid running across sheet webs and flat surfaces.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains mild neurotoxic venom used primarily to immobilize insect prey. It poses very little threat to humans.
Medical Significance
Harmless to humans. While a bite is rare and generally only occurs if the spider is squeezed or trapped against the skin, it may cause a mild, temporary localized stinging sensation or minor swelling similar to a mosquito bite.
Safety Recommendations
Keep living areas tidy, seal cracks around doors and windows, and gently relocate wandering individuals outdoors using a cup and a piece of paper if found inside.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Found globally in temperate regions, frequently associated with human structures such as basements, sheds, garages, barns, and dark corners of rooms, as well as natural rock crevices and woodpiles.
Behavior & Temperament
Timid and fast-moving. It spends most of its time hidden inside its funnel retreat, rushing out only when vibrations on the sheet web indicate captured prey. They are not aggressive toward humans and will flee rather than bite.
Diet & Prey
Predominantly feeds on crawling insects, including flies, mosquitoes, beetles, cockroaches, and other small arthropods that blunder onto the web.
Seasonal Activity
Most active during the late summer and autumn months, when mature males actively wander in search of females to mate.
Description
A common dweller of human habitations, this funnel weaver is an efficient pest controller that quietly spins its sheet-like traps in forgotten corners. With its mottled brown markings and impressive speed, it is a quintessential household spider that largely goes unnoticed.
Key Features
Prominent, elongated posterior spinnerets, a horizontal sheet web ending in a funnel retreat, and brownish coloration with chevron markings on the abdomen.
Similar Species
Wolf spiders (Lycosidae) which do not build webs, and other funnel-web spiders such as Agelena labyrinthica.
Life Cycle
Females construct silken egg sacs in sheltered areas near their webs, depositing dozens to over a hundred eggs. Spiderlings hatch, disperse, and undergo multiple molts over a multi-year lifespan, often living up to two or three years.
Ecological Importance
Serves as an effective natural predator of household pests and agricultural insects, helping to naturally regulate populations of flies and other bugs.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, but populations are abundant, stable, and widespread globally.
Interesting Facts
These spiders are remarkably fast runners and possess poor eyesight, relying almost entirely on ground and web vibrations to detect the world around them.
Photography Tips
Use macro lenses with adequate artificial lighting or flash to capture the diagnostic spinnerets and eye arrangement, maintaining a safe distance to avoid startling the spider into fleeing.
Identified: 2026-09-09T02:26:27.130760