Spider: Barn Funnel Weaver
Tegenaria domestica
This funnel weaver is not as common as the previous species. It is found, however, throughout most of the United States, most notably in sheds and barns, around and in the crevices of doors, as well as in the cracks of rock faces and under rocks and boards.
Description
The female barn funnel weaver is from 7.5 to 11.5 millimeters in length and the males range from 6 to 9 millimeters in length. The cephalothorax is red-brown with a covering of pale-yellow hairs and two pale-gray longitudinal lines. The abdomen ranges from a pinkish to a pale flesh color with a pattern of gray to black patches. The legs are spiny with very pale gray annulations at the distal end of the femurs.
The webs are similar to those made by the grass spiders, but they are typically smaller in diameter with the retreat within the web sheet rather than off to one side.Life History/Behavior
These spiders have been reported to live for as long as seven years, producing upwards of nine egg sacs. The sacs are placed in many different locations close to the web, often suspended above the web from silk lines. The males are frequently found on the web along with the female from May through July, during the mating season. These spiders can be found in structures anytime during the year.
Medical Importance
Although these spiders are encountered in and around human-made structures, there are no reports of adverse reactions to their bites.
Authored by: Steve Jacobs, Sr. Extension Associate
March 2002 Revised 2012
References
Baerg, W. J. 1936. The Black Widow. Ark. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bul. 325. 34 pp.
Baerg, W. J. 1959. The Black Widow and Five Other Venomous Spiders in the United States. Ark. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bul. 608. 43 pp.
Breene, R. G., et al. 2003. Common Names of Arachnids. 5th ed. The American Arachnological Society Committee on Common Names of Arachnids. 42 pp.
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Vetter, R. S., and P. Kirk Visscher. 1998. “Bites and Stings of Medically Important Venomous Arthropods.” International. J. Derm. 37: 481–496.
Vetter, R. S. et al. 2006. “Verified Bites By Yellow Sac Spiders (Genus Cheiracanthium) in the United States and Australia: Where Is The Necrosis?” Amer. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 74(6) 1,043–1,048.
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