Black House Spider
Scientific Name: Badumna insignis
Other Common Names: Window Spider, Sheet-web Building Spider,
Species documented in 1872 by L. Koch.
Description
Primarily black in
colour, with lighter markings on the abdomen. Males grow to around 8 to 10mm in size, and
females around 17 to 20mm.
Due to the body shape and overall appearance, this
spider often gets confused with the venomous funnel-web spider. The funnel-web spider creates
its nest at or below ground level, where as the black house spider will create its web usually
as high as possible.
Reproduction/Lifecycle
The average lifespan is approximately two years.
Habitat
As the name
suggests, the spider is often found building a nest in the cracks of window seals or parts on
the outside of a house. It will often build its web in holes of bricks, or other exterior
positions.
This spider is found across Australia. The web has funnels which
sometimes confuses this spider with the funnel-web spider.
Diet
Miscellaneous
Previously species name: Ixeuticus robustus.
Bite
may cause mild illness and necrotising arachnidism. If bitten, please seek medical advice.
Found in:
NSW,NT,QLD,SA,TAS,VIC,WA,
References/Bibliography:
USQ, 2002. The Find
-a-Spider Guide, University of Southern Queensland. Available from
<http://www.usq.edu.au/spider/find/spiders/504.htm> [Accessed 17th January 2007]
CSIRO, 2004. Black House Spider,
<http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/name_c/a_379.htm> [Accessed 17th January 2007]
Robbie J. Henderson and Mark A. Elgar, 1999. Foraging behaviour and the risk of
predation in the black house spider, Badumna insignis (Desidae). Australian Journal of
Zoology, Issue 47 pp.29-35.
