Brown House Spider
Scientific Name: Steatoda grossa
Other Common Names: Cupboard Spider, Dark Comb-footed Spider, False Black Widow
Species documented in 1838 by Koch.
Description
Within
Australia, this spider is often confused with the venomous Red-back Spider, as the body shape
is very similar to that of the Redback. The web is also similar to a redbacks. In other parts
of the globe, this spider gets confused with another venomous spider, the Black Widow. Males
are around 4mm in size, and females average around 10mm. The male is smaller bodied with longer
legs, and the white markings are much more prominent on the male than on the female. The female
is larger, and has dulled white markings.
Reproduction/Lifecycle
Habitat
The brown house spider builds a tangled
web with sticky catching.
Diet
Miscellaneous
The
bite of this spider may cause headaches and nausea. Localised blistering may occur at the site.
Consult medical advice if you have been bitten by a spider.
Found in:
NSW,QLD,SA,VIC,WA,
References/Bibliography:
CSIRO, 2006. Brown House Spider. Available from:
<http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/name_s/b_3801.htm> [Accessed 16th January 2007]
