House spider (Tegenaria domestica)
Facts
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Araneae |
| Family | Agelenidae |
| Genus | Tegenaria (1) |
| Size |
Female length: 9- 10 mm (2) Male length: 6- 9 mm (2) |
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Status
Widespread and common (3).
Description
The house spider is probably the best known and perhaps the most hated of the British spiders, and is often encountered trapped in the bath (2). It is fairly large and hairy, has long legs and varies in colour from pale to dark brown (4). The abdomen has variable sooty markings, and some individuals can be a uniform pale yellowish or grey colour. Males and females are similar in appearance, but males have a more slender abdomen and longer legs (3).
Range
Found all over the world, the house spider is common and widespread in Britain and Europe (3).
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Habitat
Found in houses and other buildings, including garden sheds (2).
Biology
Although often detested, the house spider provides a service wherever it occurs, reducing the number of flies and other unwelcome insects from houses. It makes a flat sheet-like silk web, typically with a tubular retreat at one corner. These webs can become fairly large when undisturbed (2). When an insect falls onto the web, the spider dashes out from its retreat, seizes the prey and returns to the retreat to consume the meal (5).
Male spiders are usually seen more often than females, as they wander widely in search of a mate (5). After a male has found a female's web he will stay with her for a number of weeks, mating with her repeatedly during this time. He then dies and the female eats him; the nutrients within the male contribute to the development of his young (6).
The word 'spider' derives from the Old English word 'spithra', which means 'spinner'. Spider webs have been used to heal wounds and staunch blood flow for many years (7).
Threats
This spider is not currently threatened.
Conservation
Conservation action has not been targeted at this common species.
Further Information
For more on British spiders see: the British Arachnological Society at:
http://www.britishspiders.org.uk
Authentication
Information authenticated by Dr Peter Merrett of the British Arachnological Society:
http://www.britishspiders.org.uk/index.html
Abdomen: in arthropods (crustaceans, insects and arachnids) the abdomen is the hind region of the body, which is usually segmented to a degree (but not visibly in most spiders). In crustacea (e.g. crabs) some of the limbs attach to the abdomen; in insects the limbs are attached to the thorax (the part of the body nearest to the head) and not the abdomen. In vertebrates the abdomen is the part of the body that contains the internal organs (except the heart and lungs).
References
- National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (Jan 2003):
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn - Roberts, M. J. (1993) The spiders of Great Britain and Ireland, part 1- text. Harley Books, Colchester.
- Roberts, M. J. (1995) Collins field guide- spiders of Britain and Northern Europe. Harper Collins Publishers, London.
- Sterry, P. (1997) Complete British Wildlife photo guide. Harper Collins Publishers, London.
- Nichols, D., Cooke, J. & Whiteley, D. (1971) The Oxford Book of Invertebrates. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
- House spider. BBC Wildfacts (March 2003):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/348.shtml - Buczacki, S. (2002) Fauna Britannica. Hamlyn, London.
