Barn Funnel Weaver, Domestic House Spider
Tegenaria domestica
Agelenidae (Funnel Weavers), Order Araneae
Physical Description
A medium-sized spider with an elongated, flattened cephalothorax and a bulbous, oval abdomen. The body is covered in fine, short hairs (setae) giving it a velvety texture. It possesses long, tapering legs and prominent spinnerets at the rear of the abdomen.
Size Estimate
Estimated body length 6-10 mm; total leg span approximately 25-35 mm. This appears to be an adult specimen based on proportions.
Coloration & Markings
Displaying a mottled pattern of brown, gray, and tan. The cephalothorax features two longitudinal dark stripes. The abdomen has a central pale chevron pattern (herringbone) flanked by darker spots. The legs are generally solid or very faintly banded.
Web Type
Builds a flat, sheet-like funnel web with a retreat tube in one corner. Typically placed in corners, behind furniture, or in crevices where the spider can hide while waiting for vibrations.
Eye Arrangement
Eight eyes of similar size arranged in two nearly straight rows of four. This layout provides an wide field of view for detecting prey movement across its sheet web.
Leg Characteristics
Legs are long, slender, and hairy with several small spines. They are designed for high-speed running across the surface of their non-sticky silk webs.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Possesses a mild neurotoxic venom used to substrate small insects. The venom is not considered potent or dangerous to humans.
Medical Significance
Low medical significance. A bite is rare as the spider is shy; if bitten, symptoms are usually less severe than a bee sting, involving minor redness and localized swelling.
Safety Recommendations
Harmless; relocate using the cup-and-paper method if found in a high-traffic area. Ensure window screens are intact to prevent entry if desired.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Cosmopolitan distribution; found worldwide. Prefers dark, undisturbed areas in human dwellings, such as basements, attics, barns, and closets, as well as under rocks and logs outdoors.
Behavior & Temperament
Extremely fast runners but very timid. They are ambush hunters that wait in their funnel retreat and dash out to grab prey. Generally non-aggressive and will flee or 'play dead' if threatened by a human.
Diet & Prey
Generalist insectivore eating flies, mosquitoes, moths, and other small crawling insects. They rely on the vibration sensing of their silk to detect prey trapped on the sheet.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round in temperature-controlled indoor environments; peak sightings occur in autumn during the mating season when males wander in search of females.
Description
The Barn Funnel Weaver is one of the most common spiders found in human structures. Often mistaken for more dangerous species due to its speed and brown color, it is actually a beneficial and harmless roommate that provides natural pest control. Its signature sheet web remains a hallmark of quiet corners in homes.
Key Features
Two dark stripes on the cephalothorax, herringbone pattern on the abdomen, and extremely fast movement.
Similar Species
Often confused with the Giant House Spider (Eratigena duellica), which is much larger, or the Hobo Spider (Eratigena agricola), which has more distinct leg banding.
Life Cycle
Females produce a lens-shaped egg sac containing up to 50 eggs. Spiderlings are independent upon hatching. Can live up to 1-2 years in stable indoor environments.
Ecological Importance
Serves as a primary indoor predator of nuisance insects like flies and silverfish, acting as a biological control agent in urban environments.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by IUCN; considered common and widespread with stable populations due to its adaptation to human environments.
Interesting Facts
Despite their speed, they are poor climbers on smooth surfaces like porcelain, which is why they are often found trapped in bathtubs or sinks.
Photography Tips
Focus on the dorsal (top) pattern of the cephalothorax and abdomen. Catching them in their funnel retreat provides excellent context for identification.
Identified: 2026-05-26T21:22:33.676291