Barn Funnel Weaver, House Spider, Common Domestic House Spider
Tegenaria domestica / Eratigena spp.
Agelenidae (Funnel-Weavers), Order Araneae. Key family characteristics include three pairs of spinnerets with the posterior pair noticeably elongated, and a typical habit of constructing sheet webs that end in a tubular retreat.
Physical Description
The spider has a relatively elongated body with a distinct oval-shaped abdomen and a slightly narrower cephalothorax. The overall body is moderately hairy, typical of funnel weavers, with proportional legs that extend outwards against surfaces like walls or ceilings.
Size Estimate
Body length is estimated around 8 to 12 mm with a leg span stretching up to 30 to 40 mm, placing it within the standard adult or large sub-adult range for common indoor domestic spiders.
Coloration & Markings
Features brownish base coloration with subtle mottled patterns, chevron markings down the dorsal abdomen, and faint banding on the legs. The cephalothorax typically has darker longitudinal stripes.
Web Type
Does not apply directly to the observed specimen location on a bare vertical wall, but members of this family build characteristic dense, non-sticky sheet webs that funnel back into a retreat corner or crevice.
Eye Arrangement
Arranged in two horizontal rows of four eyes each, closely grouped together in a compact area at the front of the cephalothorax, typical of many hunting and funnel-weaving spiders.
Leg Characteristics
Long, slender, tapering legs with noticeable spination and subtle dark banding. The legs are held sprawled outward against the surface, providing rapid acceleration and stability.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains mild, non-lethal venom utilized primarily to immobilize small insect prey. It is not considered dangerous or toxic to humans.
Medical Significance
Harmless to humans. Bites are rare and typically only occur if the spider is directly pressed against the skin. Symptoms are usually minor, resembling a mild insect sting with temporary localized redness or swelling.
Safety Recommendations
Keep living areas clear of clutter where spiders might hide. If removal is desired, gently capture the spider under a glass and release it outdoors.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Cosmopolitan distribution found worldwide in temperate regions, frequently associated with human habitations, basements, cellars, sheds, barns, and dark corners of rooms.
Behavior & Temperament
Generally shy, fast-moving, and nocturnal or crepuscular. They prefer to flee rapidly when disturbed rather than show aggression, seeking out dark crevices or retreating into their webs.
Diet & Prey
Feeds primarily on indoor pest insects including flies, mosquitoes, silverfish, cockroaches, and other small arthropods caught in or near their habitat.
Seasonal Activity
Most commonly observed indoors during late summer and autumn when mature males actively wander in search of mates.
Description
A common indoor resident, this house spider is frequently spotted resting on walls or ceilings as it navigates human structures. Though startling due to its speed and appearance, it acts as a beneficial natural pest controller.
Key Features
Elongated oval abdomen, brownish coloration with chevron patterns, long spiny legs, and a preference for dark indoor corners or walls.
Similar Species
Can be confused with other funnel-weavers (Agelenidae) or wolf spiders (Lycosidae). Wolf spiders do not build webs and have a distinct eye arrangement with a massive pair of posterior median eyes.
Life Cycle
Females construct silken egg sacs in hidden areas during the autumn months. Spiderlings emerge in spring, undergoing multiple molts to reach maturity, with a typical lifespan ranging from one to several years.
Ecological Importance
Serves as an effective natural predator of household insect pests, helping to regulate populations of flies, roaches, and other domestic bugs.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, but populations are widespread, stable, and highly adapted to human environments.
Interesting Facts
House spiders have exceptional sensitivity to air currents and vibrations, allowing them to detect approaching prey or potential threats almost instantly.
Photography Tips
Use macro lighting carefully to avoid casting harsh shadows, maintain a steady distance to prevent startling the spider, and capture dorsal shots to show key abdominal patterns.
Identified: 2026-10-09T01:59:23.411235