Barn Funnel Weaver, Domestic House Spider
Tegenaria domestica
Agelenidae (Funnel Weavers), Order Araneae
Physical Description
Elongated, flattened body with a clear cephalothorax featuring two dark longitudinal bands. Oval abdomen with mottled dark gray and brownish patterns, accompanied by fine hairs giving it a dull texture. Distinct long spinnerets extending from the rear abdomen.
Size Estimate
Body length approximately 6–10 mm; total leg span around 20–35 mm. Appears to be an adult specimen based on body proportions.
Coloration & Markings
Tan to greyish-brown base color. Cephalothorax has two parallel dark brown longitudinal stripes. Abdomen displays a brownish-grey mottled pattern with a faint central lanceolate stripe and dark chevron-like spots.
Web Type
Builds a dense, flat, sheet-like funnel web in dark corners, crevices, or foundation edges with a tubular retreat at one side where it hides.
Eye Arrangement
Eight small eyes of similar size arranged in two slightly curved, transverse rows of four on the anterior portion of the carapace.
Leg Characteristics
Long, slender, hairy legs with faint dark bands or annulations; lacking large prominent spines found in wolf spiders. Legs are held stretched outward in a broad stance.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains mild, weak venom designed to subdue tiny insect prey. Venom is not medically significant to humans.
Medical Significance
Harmless to humans. Bites are rare and usually produce only minor localized redness or mild itching similar to a mosquito bite.
Safety Recommendations
No special action needed. If found indoors, it can be easily relocated outside using the cup-and-paper method. Avoid handling directly to prevent accidental crushing.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Widespread globally, common throughout North America and Europe. Frequently found in basements, sheds, crawl spaces, rock walls, and concrete walkways.
Behavior & Temperament
Fast runner, highly timid, and non-aggressive. Relies on speed to retreat into cracks or web funnels when disturbed. Will only bite if squeezed or pressed against skin.
Diet & Prey
Feeds on small crawling insects, flies, beetles, silverfish, and ants that walk across its sheet web or near its hideout.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round indoors in climate-controlled spaces; outdoors, peak activity occurs from late spring through autumn, with mature males wandering in late summer to find mates.
Description
The domestic house spider (Tegenaria domestica) is a common, harmless funnel weaver often encountered near human structures. Recognizable by its grey-brown carapace with twin longitudinal stripes and long, agile legs, it spends its life capturing insect pests in sheet webs or hunting along ground edges.
Key Features
Twin dark longitudinal stripes on carapace, long hairy legs, visible posterior spinnerets, sheet/funnel web building habit, and rapid running pace.
Similar Species
Eratigena atrica (Giant House Spider) is much larger with longer legs. Rabidosa rabida (Rabid Wolf Spider) and other Lycosidae have distinct large forward-facing eyes and lack sheet webs. Agelenopsis species (Grass Spiders) have longer, prominent tail-like spinnerets.
Life Cycle
Females lay spherical, silk-covered egg sacs in or near their web retreat. Spiderlings emerge in spring. Individuals can live for 1 to 2 years, with females living longer than males.
Ecological Importance
Acts as a natural pest control agent inside and around human dwellings, suppressing populations of pest insects like flies, mosquitoes, and silverfish.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated (Least Concern); highly adaptable and abundant globally due to cohabitation with humans.
Interesting Facts
Despite their speed, these spiders have poor eyesight and rely almost entirely on vibrations transmitted through substrate and silk threads to locate prey.
Photography Tips
Use a macro lens or high zoom from a steady distance; focus on the carapace to clearly capture the longitudinal stripes and eye pattern for accurate identification.
Identified: 2026-07-27T01:27:09.440703