The Black House Spider, alternatively known as the common black spider is indigenous to Australia but also found in Japan as well as New Zealand. Dark and robust in appearance, these are shy in nature and only come out of their nest to catch preys, retreating quickly on completing their task.
Size: Like most other spiders the females having a size of about .70 inches (18mm) are larger than their male counterparts which grow up to (0.39 inches) 10mm.
Black House Spider Size
Color: Both sexes have a black body covered with thick velvety hair. Their legs and carapace are black or dark brown, while their abdomen is grey, marked with a dorsal pattern.
The eggs are generally round in shape, contained in many white silk sacs. The mother stays close to the eggs, guarding them until maturation.
Black House Spider Egg Sac
The spiderlings are small in size and remain in their mother’s web for a certain point of time before dispersing.
Black House Spiderlings
The Black House spider has a messy web having a funnel-shaped retreat located either in the center or the corner where they spend most of their time waiting for their prey. Small objects or dust particles could be present in the web since the spiders never leave it unless compelled.
Black House Spider Web
These timid spiders hardly bite, but if they do it could be painful, causing the area to swell which then needs first aid. Other symptoms like giddiness, nausea, vomiting, and sweating have also been recorded. Multiple bites have also resulted in skin lesions, though in rare cases.
Though venomous, these spiders are not deadly, and their bite would not cause death.
Small Black House Spider
| Lifespan | About 2 years after maturation, with females living longer |
| Distribution | Southern and eastern parts of Australia as well as Japan and New Zealand |
| Habitat | On rough-barked trees, inside buildings, near doorways, and windows |
| Common Predators | White-tailed spider, parasitic wasps, flies |
| Diet | Bees, butterflies, ants, beetles, flies |
Big Black House Spider
Image Credits: Animalcorner.co.uk, Spiderzrule.com, Spiders.zacharoo.com, 1.bp.blogspot.com, Depestmasters.com.au,
Media.bowerbird.org.au, Images-wixmp.com
The Black House Spider, alternatively known as the common black spider is indigenous to Australia but also found in Japan as well as New Zealand. Dark and robust in appearance, these are shy in nature and only come out of their nest to catch preys, retreating quickly on completing their task.
Size: Like most other spiders the females having a size of about .70 inches (18mm) are larger than their male counterparts which grow up to (0.39 inches) 10mm.
Black House Spider Size
Color: Both sexes have a black body covered with thick velvety hair. Their legs and carapace are black or dark brown, while their abdomen is grey, marked with a dorsal pattern.
The eggs are generally round in shape, contained in many white silk sacs. The mother stays close to the eggs, guarding them until maturation.
Black House Spider Egg Sac
The spiderlings are small in size and remain in their mother’s web for a certain point of time before dispersing.
Black House Spiderlings
The Black House spider has a messy web having a funnel-shaped retreat located either in the center or the corner where they spend most of their time waiting for their prey. Small objects or dust particles could be present in the web since the spiders never leave it unless compelled.
Black House Spider Web
These timid spiders hardly bite, but if they do it could be painful, causing the area to swell which then needs first aid. Other symptoms like giddiness, nausea, vomiting, and sweating have also been recorded. Multiple bites have also resulted in skin lesions, though in rare cases.
Though venomous, these spiders are not deadly, and their bite would not cause death.
Small Black House Spider
| Lifespan | About 2 years after maturation, with females living longer |
| Distribution | Southern and eastern parts of Australia as well as Japan and New Zealand |
| Habitat | On rough-barked trees, inside buildings, near doorways, and windows |
| Common Predators | White-tailed spider, parasitic wasps, flies |
| Diet | Bees, butterflies, ants, beetles, flies |
Big Black House Spider
Image Credits: Animalcorner.co.uk, Spiderzrule.com, Spiders.zacharoo.com, 1.bp.blogspot.com, Depestmasters.com.au,
Media.bowerbird.org.au, Images-wixmp.com
Mumpi Ghosh on January 18, 2019.
Dr. Watuwa James
© 2023 (Spider Identifications). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Follow us on: 
