Parasteatoda tepidariorum, the common house spider or American house spider, is a spider species of the genus Parasteatoda with a cosmopolitan distribution.[1][2] Common house spiders are synanthropic and live in and near human dwellings.[2][3] Their prey mechanism is similar to that of the other cobweb spiders: the spider follows disturbances transmitted along the web to entangle and then paralyze its prey, which usually consists of household insects and other invertebrates (often considered as pests).
| Parasteatoda tepidariorum | |
|---|---|
| |
| Common house spider and egg sac | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Theridiidae |
| Genus: | Parasteatoda |
| Species: | P. tepidariorum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Parasteatoda tepidariorum (C. L. Koch, 1841)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Theridion tepidariorum | |
Description
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Appearance
editCommon house spiders are variable in color from tan to nearly black, frequently with patterns of differing shades on their body.[3] Females are generally between 5 and 6 millimetres (0.20 and 0.24 in) long, and males are generally between 3.8 and 4.7 millimetres (0.15 and 0.19 in) long.[3] They can be an inch (2.5 cm) or more across with legs outspread.[citation needed] P. tepidariorum is similar in body shape to widow spiders.[4] Males have a less bulbous abdomen than females.[3] Common house spiders' size and coloration allow the spiders to blend into the background and escape notice.
Life cycle
editThis species can live for more than a year after reaching maturity. Females suspend their egg sacs in their webs; the spherical egg sacs have a tan papery outer layer.[3] Each egg sac contains from 150–200 eggs, with a single female producing 15–20 egg sacs in its lifetime.[citation needed] The spiderlings remain in the mother's web for several days after coming out of the egg sac.[5]
Diet and predation
editCommon house spiders usually feed on small insects and household pests. If the prey is too agile, the spider will try shooting web at it from a distance before pulling the thread toward itself. Bigger females can also attract baby skinks inside their web by leaving fly remains hanging in it. Once its food dries out, the spider usually drops it to the floor in order to free space in its web, instead of destroying and rebuilding it or changing its location.
Three spider species usually prey upon them: the pirate spiders of the genus Mimetus (Mimetidae), as well as two jumping spider species – Phidippus variegatus and Platycryptus undatus.[5] The latter one often falls prey to its own food when it gets trapped in the tangling web after missing the jump on its target.
The assassin bug Stenolemus lanipes (Emesinae) apparently feeds exclusively on spiderlings of this species, but can also become prey of the adult spider.[6]
Behavior
editInteraction with other spiders
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A male and female often share the same web for long periods, and several females often build their webs in close proximity. However, females will sometimes fight when they encounter each other.
Interaction with humans and predators
editAs these spiders live in constant proximity to humans, they are not usually aggressive and will even let a human hand approach their web. Common house spiders will bite humans only in self-defense, when grabbed and squeezed.[citation needed] The species' synanthropic habits, however, increase the risk of human bites.[2]
Common house spiders possess poor vision and cannot detect any movement more than three to four inches away. If cornered, they will feign death as last resort.[citation needed]
Toxicity
editCommon house spiders have neurotoxic venom.[7] However, their bites are less severe than that of other theridiids[2] and are "not known to be dangerous to humans".[8]
Subspecies
editSubspecies include P. tepidariorum australis (common gray house spider).
See also
edit- House spider (listing other spiders known as "house spiders")
References
edit- ^ McGregor, Alistair P.; Hilbrant, Maarten; Pechmann, Matthias; Schwager, Evelyn E.; Prpic, Nikola-Michael; Damen, Wim G.M. (2008). "Cupiennius salei and Achaearanea tepidariorum: Spider models for investigating evolution and development". BioEssays. 30 (5): 487–498. doi:10.1002/bies.20744. ISSN 0265-9247. PMID 18404731.
- ^ a b c d Faúndez, Eduardo I; Téllez, Fernando (2016). "New records for Parasteatoda tepidariorum (C.L. Koch, 1841) (Araneae: Theridiidae) in Southern Chile" (PDF). Anales del Instituto de la Patagonia. 44 (3): 85–7. doi:10.4067/S0718-686X2016000300009.
- ^ a b c d e Adams, R. J. (2014). Field guide to the spiders of California and the Pacific Coast states. Tim Manolis. Berkeley. pp. 100–101. ISBN 978-0-520-95704-6. OCLC 868975350.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Common Spiders of Missouri: Identification, Benefits, and Concerns". University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ a b Fitch, Henry S. (1963). Spiders of The University of Kansas Natural History Reservation and Rockefeller Experimental Tract. OCLC 1111199.[page needed]
- ^ Hodge, Maggie (1984). "Anti-predator behavior of Achaearanea tepidariorum (Theridiidae) towards Stenolemus lanipes (Reduviidae): preliminary observations". Journal of Arachnology. 12 (3): 369–70. JSTOR 3705368.
- ^ Young, Ellen F.; Martin, Duncan W.; Geren, Collis R. (1984-09-01). "Neurotoxic Action of the Venom of the Common American House Spider". Physiological Zoology. 57 (5): 521–529. doi:10.1086/physzool.57.5.30163944. ISSN 0031-935X. S2CID 83062552.
- ^ common house spider on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site.
External links
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- Fiedler, Ryan (2000): Achaearanea tepidariorum at Animal Diversity Web