Hobo Spider, Aggressive House Spider
Eratigena agrestis (formerly Tegenaria agrestis)
Agelenidae (Funnel-web weavers), Order Araneae. Key family characteristics include long spinnerets extending from the rear of the abdomen and a tendency to build sheet webs ending in a funnel-shaped retreat.
Physical Description
Elongated body shape featuring a brownish cephalothorax with distinct darker longitudinal striping, and an oblong, mottled brown abdomen. It has a slightly hairy texture and shows moderate sexual dimorphism with males typically having narrower abdomens and enlarged palps.
Size Estimate
Body length ranges from 11 to 18 mm for females and 9 to 15 mm for males, with a substantial leg span reaching up to 40 to 45 mm. The pictured specimen appears to be an adult or sub-adult.
Coloration & Markings
Predominantly brown and tan with characteristic chevron or herringbone patterns along the dorsal surface of the abdomen pointing forward. The cephalothorax features distinct darker central and lateral stripes rather than distinct spots.
Web Type
Builds a dense, non-sticky horizontal sheet web that terminates in a funnel-shaped retreat where the spider hides, typically constructed close to the ground in dark, protected areas.
Eye Arrangement
Eight small, dark eyes arranged in two slightly curved, nearly parallel horizontal rows of four, typical of the Agelenidae family.
Leg Characteristics
Long, robust legs covered in fine hairs and prominent spines, uniformly light brown without distinct dark banding rings.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains a necrotic venom, though historical beliefs regarding its extreme danger and tissue destruction are widely debated by modern arachnologists, with symptoms often resembling other necrotic conditions.
Medical Significance
Historically considered medically significant due to fears of necrotic lesions (hoboism), though contemporary medical consensus suggests its bites generally cause mild, self-limiting localized redness and pain similar to a bee sting.
Safety Recommendations
Prevent encounters by sealing cracks in foundations, wearing gloves when moving outdoor materials, and shaking out shoes left in garages. Relocate indoors spiders using a glass and stiff paper.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Native to Europe and introduced to the Pacific Northwest of North America and parts of Central Asia. Found primarily in dark, damp areas near ground level, including tall grass, woodpiles, foundations, basements, and crawl spaces.
Behavior & Temperament
Crepuscular to nocturnal hunter that spends most of its time waiting inside its funnel web. Generally defensive rather than aggressive, biting usually only occurs when trapped against human skin.
Diet & Prey
Generalist predator feeding on ground-dwelling insects such as beetles, flies, roaches, and other spiders, immobilizing prey that blunders onto the sheet web.
Seasonal Activity
Most active during late summer and autumn (August to October) when mature males actively wander in search of receptive females.
Description
The Hobo Spider is a swift and adept runner commonly encountered in basements and structural voids. Recognized by its distinct herringbone abdominal markings and unbanded legs, it plays an effective role in regulating indoor and garden insect populations.
Key Features
Absence of dark banding on the legs, distinct herringbone pattern on the dorsal abdomen, and the presence of longitudinal dark stripes on the cephalothorax.
Similar Species
Giant House Spider (Eratigena duress) and Barn Funnel Weaver (Tegenaria domestica). These can be reliably distinguished through microscopic examination of genital structures or subtle differences in leg markings.
Life Cycle
Females construct tough, disc-shaped silken egg sacs in late summer or autumn, containing roughly 50 to 100 eggs. Spiderlings overwinter and mature by the following summer, with adults typically living for one to two years.
Ecological Importance
Functions as a beneficial predatory controller of invertebrate populations in both natural habitats and domestic environments, serving as prey for larger animals.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, but populations are secure, abundant, and widely distributed across their introduced and native ranges.
Interesting Facts
Despite its specific epithet 'agrestis' meaning 'rural' or 'field', it has successfully adapted to human-made structures and is frequently found in urban environments.
Photography Tips
Capture top-down macro shots to clearly display the abdominal chevron markings and the cephalothorax stripes. Use natural lighting or a diffused flash to avoid harsh shadows and glare.
Identified: 2026-08-28T04:45:37.788851