Grey House Spider, Brown House Spider
Badumna longinqua
Desidae (Intertidal and House Spiders), Order Araneae
Physical Description
Robust, dark-colored spider with a smooth, glossy carapace and a velvety, oval-shaped abdomen. The body is compact with powerful mouthparts.
Size Estimate
Body length around 9-18 mm for females, with a leg span of approximately 25-30 mm. This appears to be an adult specimen.
Coloration & Markings
Dark brown to charcoal black overall coloration, sometimes featuring subtle, lighter mottled markings or a faint pattern along the dorsal surface of the abdomen.
Web Type
Creates a messy, characteristic lace-web or funnel-like retreat in corners of windows, walls, and crevices.
Eye Arrangement
Eight eyes arranged in two rows of four, typical of cribellate spiders, positioned compactly on the front of the cephalothorax.
Leg Characteristics
Moderately long, robust legs with a dark, uniform coloration and fine hairs, held in a typical sprawling posture near the web retreat.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Possesses mild neurotoxic venom used primarily to subdue insect prey.
Medical Significance
Not considered dangerously venomous to humans. Bites are rare and typically only occur if the spider is accidentally trapped or handled. Symptoms usually involve localized pain and swelling.
Safety Recommendations
Avoid direct handling. If found indoors, gently guide the spider into a container using a piece of paper and release it outdoors.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Native to Australia but introduced globally. Found commonly around human habitations, in bark crevices, window frames, and fences.
Behavior & Temperament
Reclusive, nocturnal ambush hunter. Spends daylight hours hidden in its silk retreat, emerging at night to wait for prey.
Diet & Prey
Feeds primarily on flying insects such as moths, flies, beetles, and mosquitoes captured in its messy web.
Seasonal Activity
Most active during the warmer spring and summer months, though adults can be found year-round in sheltered indoor environments.
Description
The Grey House Spider is a familiar nocturnal resident of homes and gardens, known for building untidy funnel-like webs in corners and crevices. Despite their intimidating dark appearance, they are beneficial pest controllers that quietly manage insect populations.
Key Features
Glossy dark brown to black body, robust proportions, and the construction of messy, lacy funnel webs in corners or on vertical surfaces.
Similar Species
Black House Spider (Badumna insignis), which is generally darker, velvet-black and prefers similar urban habitats.
Life Cycle
Females construct silk egg sacs hidden near the retreat. Spiderlings disperse via ballooning after hatching. Lifespan can span up to two years.
Ecological Importance
Acts as an effective natural pest controller by reducing populations of nuisance insects around human structures.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, but populations are secure and expanding due to human urban development.
Interesting Facts
Despite being native to Australasia, Badumna longinqua has successfully hitchhiked via international trade to establish populations in North America, South America, and Europe.
Photography Tips
Use macro lighting to highlight the glossy texture of the carapace and dorsal pattern, taking shots from a top-down or slight side angle while the spider is contained safely.
Identified: 2026-08-16T09:12:38.315308