Barn Funnel Weaver, Domestic House Spider, Crevice Weaver
Tegenaria domestica (often identified as Eratigena species or Kukulcania hibernalis depending on region)
Agelenidae (Funnel-Weavers), Order Araneae. Key family characteristics include long spinnerets and a typical funnel-shaped retreat web.
Physical Description
Robust, dark-colored body with a slightly elongated oval abdomen and a distinct, oval-to-pear-shaped cephalothorax. The body appears velvety due to fine, dense hair cover, showing typical moderate sexual dimorphism with females being slightly larger and heavier-bodied.
Size Estimate
Body length approximately 10 to 18 millimeters with a total leg span reaching up to 40 to 50 millimeters, fitting the profile of an adult house-dwelling funnel weaver.
Coloration & Markings
Predominantly dark brown to charcoal gray or blackish coloration overall. Markings may include subtle, muted mottled patterns or faint chevron markings on the dorsal abdomen, though often appearing uniformly dark in low-light indoor environments.
Web Type
Constructs a characteristic dense, flat sheet web that funnels into a retreat crevice or corner where the spider hides, waiting for prey to land on the sheet.
Eye Arrangement
Eight small eyes arranged in two distinct, closely spaced horizontal rows across the front of the cephalothorax, typical of funnel-weaver spiders.
Leg Characteristics
Long, robust legs with visible fine spines and hairs, held in a sprawling posture typical of ground and wall-dwelling spiders. Legs are generally uniformly colored without strong contrasting banding.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains mild, localized venom used to subdue invertebrate prey. It is not considered medically significant to humans.
Medical Significance
Harmless to humans. Bites are extremely rare and typically result in only mild, temporary local irritation or minor redness, comparable to a mild mosquito bite.
Safety Recommendations
No special precautions needed. If removal is desired, gently capture the spider using a container and a piece of paper and release it outdoors or in an outbuilding.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Cosmopolitan distribution, frequently found worldwide in human habitations, basements, cellars, barns, sheds, and dark, undisturbed corners or crevices.
Behavior & Temperament
Generally shy, nocturnal, and secretive. They rapidly retreat to their funnel webs when disturbed and rarely bite unless directly trapped or squeezed against human skin.
Diet & Prey
Carnivorous. Feeds primarily on crawling and flying household insects including flies, mosquitoes, roaches, silverfish, and other small arthropods.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round indoors due to climate-controlled environments, with increased wandering activity of adult males searching for mates during late summer and autumn.
Description
This is a typical dwelling funnel weaver, perfectly adapted to life inside human structures where it quietly helps control pest populations. With its dark, velvety body and long, sprawling legs, it cuts a striking silhouette on walls and in corners, though it prefers to remain hidden out of sight.
Key Features
Uniformly dark or subtly mottled body, long sprawling legs, distinct funnel-shaped sheet web, and presence in dark indoor corners or crevices.
Similar Species
Wolf spiders (Lycosidae) which do not build webs, and potentially medically significant species like Loxosceles reclusa, which lacks the hairy appearance and funnel web and typically shows a violin pattern.
Life Cycle
Females produce silken egg sacs hidden near their retreats. Spiderlings disperse, molt several times to reach maturity, and can live for several years under favorable indoor conditions.
Ecological Importance
Acts as an effective natural pest control agent inside buildings, consuming numerous nuisance and disease-carrying insects.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, highly secure due to widespread commensalism with human habitats.
Interesting Facts
House-dwelling funnel weavers are incredible examples of synanthropic spiders, having evolved to thrive exclusively in artificial microclimates created by human buildings.
Photography Tips
Use soft, even lighting to highlight the texture of the hair on the body and legs. Maintain a safe distance and photograph from a side or top angle to clearly capture the leg proportions and cephalothorax shape.
Identified: 2026-08-20T19:49:42.653337