Imagine a spider that looks like a black widow but isn’t as scary! Meet the black cobweb spider, part of the comb-footed family. They’re called ‘false widows’ because they look similar but are different. Get ready to uncover cool facts about this spider here.
Similar to other false widow spiders, they lay their eggs inside a white sac. They do so year-round at regular intervals.
They disperse soon after leaving the egg sac.
Their webs are made up of cobwebs consisting of irregular tangles of sticky silken fibers.
Yes, Black Cobweb spiders have venom. But here’s a cool thing: their venom isn’t as strong as some other spiders. They use it mainly to catch their food.
Yes, Black cobweb spiders can bite. Their bite can be pretty painful, causing general malaise for about a day. This syndrome, often known as steatodism, is a less severe version of the illness caused by the bite of true black widows, called latrodectism.
The black cobweb spider plays a crucial role in controlling the population of insects within its habitat, demonstrating its importance in maintaining ecological balance. Their nocturnal behavior and proficiency in hunting contribute to the natural order of prey-predator dynamics.
Natural Predators & Prey-Predator Dynamics: Despite their prowess as hunters, black cobweb spiders are not without their own predators. Other larger spiders pose a significant threat, illustrating the complex and interconnected nature of their ecosystem.
Relationship with Humans: Native to South Africa, and now invasive in regions like Australia and New Zealand, the black cobweb spider is often found in proximity to human habitats, including inside buildings and around sand dunes. Their presence, while potentially alarming due to their venomous bite, actually contributes to pest control, as they prey on common household pests such as crickets, cockroaches, and flies.
| Other names | False katipō Spider |
| Lifespan | 1-3 years |
| Distribution | Native: South Africa
Invasive: Australia and New Zealand |
| Habitat | Sand dunes. Also are often found close to or inside buildings |
| Common Predators | Other spiders |
| Diet | Insects like crickets, cockroaches, flies, ladybirds, mosquitoes, woodlice, and spiders, including true black widows |
In summary, the black cobweb spider stands as a remarkable species within the comb-footed spider family, distinguished by its unique appearance and behavior.
Imagine a spider that looks like a black widow but isn’t as scary! Meet the black cobweb spider, part of the comb-footed family. They’re called ‘false widows’ because they look similar but are different. Get ready to uncover cool facts about this spider here.
Similar to other false widow spiders, they lay their eggs inside a white sac. They do so year-round at regular intervals.
They disperse soon after leaving the egg sac.
Their webs are made up of cobwebs consisting of irregular tangles of sticky silken fibers.
Yes, Black Cobweb spiders have venom. But here’s a cool thing: their venom isn’t as strong as some other spiders. They use it mainly to catch their food.
Yes, Black cobweb spiders can bite. Their bite can be pretty painful, causing general malaise for about a day. This syndrome, often known as steatodism, is a less severe version of the illness caused by the bite of true black widows, called latrodectism.
The black cobweb spider plays a crucial role in controlling the population of insects within its habitat, demonstrating its importance in maintaining ecological balance. Their nocturnal behavior and proficiency in hunting contribute to the natural order of prey-predator dynamics.
Natural Predators & Prey-Predator Dynamics: Despite their prowess as hunters, black cobweb spiders are not without their own predators. Other larger spiders pose a significant threat, illustrating the complex and interconnected nature of their ecosystem.
Relationship with Humans: Native to South Africa, and now invasive in regions like Australia and New Zealand, the black cobweb spider is often found in proximity to human habitats, including inside buildings and around sand dunes. Their presence, while potentially alarming due to their venomous bite, actually contributes to pest control, as they prey on common household pests such as crickets, cockroaches, and flies.
| Other names | False katipō Spider |
| Lifespan | 1-3 years |
| Distribution | Native: South Africa
Invasive: Australia and New Zealand |
| Habitat | Sand dunes. Also are often found close to or inside buildings |
| Common Predators | Other spiders |
| Diet | Insects like crickets, cockroaches, flies, ladybirds, mosquitoes, woodlice, and spiders, including true black widows |
In summary, the black cobweb spider stands as a remarkable species within the comb-footed spider family, distinguished by its unique appearance and behavior.
Roy Williams on May 13, 2022.
Spider Team
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