Barn Funnel Weaver, Domestic House Spider
Tegenaria domestica (likely based on general form)
Agelenidae (Funnel Weavers), Order Araneae
Physical Description
Flattened pear-shaped cephalothorax with an elongated, oval abdomen. The body is covered in fine hairs (setae) giving it a matte appearance. Long, slender legs that taper significantly at the tips.
Size Estimate
Body length 6–12mm; leg span up to 25–40mm. This appears to be an adult specimen based on leg-to-body proportions.
Coloration & Markings
Mottled brown, grey, and tan. The cephalothorax typically features two dark longitudinal stripes. The abdomen shows a chevron pattern or light-colored spots against a darker background. Legs are generally solid or faintly banded.
Web Type
A flat, sheet-like web with a funnel-shaped retreat at one corner or center. Typically built in corners, behind furniture, or in crevices where undisturbed.
Eye Arrangement
Eight eyes of similar size arranged in two slightly curved rows of four. This configuration provides a wide field of view for detecting prey movement on the web sheet.
Leg Characteristics
Long, bristly legs with visible spines. The fourth pair of legs is usually the longest. Leg posture is often splayed wide when the spider is stationary on a surface.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains neurotoxic components effective against insects but the venom is not considered medically significant to humans. Bites are rare due to timid temperament.
Medical Significance
Harmless. A bite might cause minor localized redness or itching similar to a mosquito bite. No specialized medical treatment is usually required.
Safety Recommendations
Relocate using the 'cup and paper' method if found in living spaces. There is no need for pest control as they are solitary and do not infest structural wood or fabric.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Cosmopolitan distribution; found throughout North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Highly adapted to human dwellings, basements, sheds, and dark corners of houses.
Behavior & Temperament
Very fast runners but generally shy and non-aggressive. They prefer to retreat into their funnel at the slightest vibration. They are active hunters within their web but may wander at night.
Diet & Prey
Generalist predators of household insects including flies, gnats, moths, and other small spiders. They detect vibrations on their sheet web to rush out and subdue prey.
Seasonal Activity
Year-round indoors; however, males are most often spotted wandering in late summer and autumn while searching for mates.
Description
An ubiquitous resident of human homes, the Domestic House Spider is an efficient pest controller. Often seen as a dark shape darting across a floor or wall at night, it is more afraid of humans than we are of it.
Key Features
Elongated body, chevron pattern on abdomen, funnel-shaped web, and exceptionally fast movement for its size.
Similar Species
Often confused with the Giant House Spider (Eratigena duellica) which is much larger, or the Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis) which lacks the distinct leg banding sometimes seen.
Life Cycle
Females produce several lens-shaped egg sacs suspended near the web. Spiderlings emerge and may stay near the mother for a short time before dispersing. Adults can live for 1 to 2 years.
Ecological Importance
Critical for indoor pest management; they naturally reduce populations of disease-carrying insects like flies and mosquitoes without the need for chemicals.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by IUCN, but considered very stable and abundant globally.
Interesting Facts
Despite their speed, they have poor eyesight and rely almost entirely on touch and vibration. They can survive for months without food or water in a humid environment.
Photography Tips
Focus on the dorsal (top) pattern of the abdomen and cephalothorax. Use a flash to highlight the fine hairs and eye arrangement for definitive ID.
User Notes
Indoors at night
Identified: 2026-06-23T04:57:17.318271