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Black Cobweb Spider (Steatoda capensis)

The black cobweb spider is a member of the family of comb-footed spiders. They are part of the genus of ‘false widows’, spiders which resemble the true black widows but aren’t as deadly as them.

Black Cobweb Spider

Scientific Classification

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.7 cm Female: 0.7-1 cm

Color: These spiders are black, with a small brightly-colored red, yellow, or orange patch on their abdomens.

Other Characteristic Features: There is a crescent-shaped band near the front of the abdomen.

Steatoda capensis

Eggs

Similar to other false widow spiders, they lay their eggs inside a white sac. They do so year-round at regular intervals.

Spiderlings

They disperse soon after leaving the egg sac.

The Web

Their webs are made up of cobwebs consisting of irregular tangles of sticky silken fibers.

Is the Black Cobweb Spider Venomous

The bite of black cobweb spiders can be pretty painful, causing general malaise for about a day. This syndrome, often referred to as steatodism, is a less severe version of the illness caused by the bite of true black widows, called latrodectism.

Quick Facts

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

 

False katipo Spider

Did You Know

  • The species name of this spider, “capensis”, refers to Cape Town, where it originated.

Image Source: upload.wikimedia.org, lh5.ggpht.com, blog.tepapa.govt.nz

The black cobweb spider is a member of the family of comb-footed spiders. They are part of the genus of ‘false widows’, spiders which resemble the true black widows but aren’t as deadly as them.

Black Cobweb Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.7 cm Female: 0.7-1 cm

Color: These spiders are black, with a small brightly-colored red, yellow, or orange patch on their abdomens.

Other Characteristic Features: There is a crescent-shaped band near the front of the abdomen.

Steatoda capensis

Eggs

Similar to other false widow spiders, they lay their eggs inside a white sac. They do so year-round at regular intervals.

Spiderlings

They disperse soon after leaving the egg sac.

The Web

Their webs are made up of cobwebs consisting of irregular tangles of sticky silken fibers.

Is the Black Cobweb Spider Venomous

The bite of black cobweb spiders can be pretty painful, causing general malaise for about a day. This syndrome, often referred to as steatodism, is a less severe version of the illness caused by the bite of true black widows, called latrodectism.

Quick Facts

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

 

False katipo Spider

Did You Know

  • The species name of this spider, “capensis”, refers to Cape Town, where it originated.

Image Source: upload.wikimedia.org, lh5.ggpht.com, blog.tepapa.govt.nz

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