The Grey house spider is a fascinating creature from the Desidae family, originally from eastern Australia. But guess what? These spiders have traveled far and wide! They now live in places like the United States, New Zealand, Japan, and even Uruguay and Mexico.
The pale white eggs remain safely enclosed within the silken sac.
The spiderlings are a replica of their parents, and most of them disperse upon maturation through ballooning.
The grey house spider makes webs in isolated places like a crack in the wall or a crevice, using them as a trap for their prey. Once a prey falls into the web, the spider injects venom, liquefy their body, and eats them up.
Yes, Grey House Spiders have venom, but it’s mostly harmless to humans.
Yes, they can bite, but they usually only do if they feel threatened. The bite might cause slight discomfort, but it’s not dangerous for most people.
These spiders play a vital role in controlling insect populations, serving as natural pest controllers. Their presence in various ecosystems signifies their adaptability and the critical role they play in the food web.
Natural Predators: The natural predators of Grey House Spiders include white-tailed spiders, long-bodied cellar spiders, and in some regions, birds like the New Zealand Short-tailed species, as well as flies and parasitic wasps. These predators help maintain the balance of spider populations within their habitats.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: The interaction between Grey House Spiders and their prey, which includes moths, ants, bees, wasps, and other insects, is a fundamental aspect of their ecological niche. They contribute to regulating the insect populations, ensuring a balance in the ecosystems they inhabit.
Relationship with Humans: While Grey House Spiders possess venom, their bites are generally harmless to humans and occur only when they feel directly threatened. Encounters with humans typically result in minimal discomfort and are not a cause for concern.
| Other Name | Gray spider |
| Distribution | Eastern Australia, New Zealand, South America, Uruguay, the United States, Japan, Germany, Brazil, and Argentina |
| Habitat | Wetlands, riparian forests, and grasslands. On leaves, rocks, walls, and tree trunks |
| Web Type | Ladder like webs |
| Diet | Moths, ants, bees, jumping plant lice, wasps, cicadas, and bumblebees |
| Lifespan | 1-2 years (estimated) |
| Predators | White-tailed spiders, long-bodied cellar spiders, New Zealand Short-tailed birds, flies, and parasitic wasps |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Not listed |
In summary, the Grey House Spider is an integral component of the ecosystems it inhabits, providing essential services as a natural predator of various insects.
The Grey house spider is a fascinating creature from the Desidae family, originally from eastern Australia. But guess what? These spiders have traveled far and wide! They now live in places like the United States, New Zealand, Japan, and even Uruguay and Mexico.
The pale white eggs remain safely enclosed within the silken sac.
The spiderlings are a replica of their parents, and most of them disperse upon maturation through ballooning.
The grey house spider makes webs in isolated places like a crack in the wall or a crevice, using them as a trap for their prey. Once a prey falls into the web, the spider injects venom, liquefy their body, and eats them up.
Yes, Grey House Spiders have venom, but it’s mostly harmless to humans.
Yes, they can bite, but they usually only do if they feel threatened. The bite might cause slight discomfort, but it’s not dangerous for most people.
These spiders play a vital role in controlling insect populations, serving as natural pest controllers. Their presence in various ecosystems signifies their adaptability and the critical role they play in the food web.
Natural Predators: The natural predators of Grey House Spiders include white-tailed spiders, long-bodied cellar spiders, and in some regions, birds like the New Zealand Short-tailed species, as well as flies and parasitic wasps. These predators help maintain the balance of spider populations within their habitats.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: The interaction between Grey House Spiders and their prey, which includes moths, ants, bees, wasps, and other insects, is a fundamental aspect of their ecological niche. They contribute to regulating the insect populations, ensuring a balance in the ecosystems they inhabit.
Relationship with Humans: While Grey House Spiders possess venom, their bites are generally harmless to humans and occur only when they feel directly threatened. Encounters with humans typically result in minimal discomfort and are not a cause for concern.
| Other Name | Gray spider |
| Distribution | Eastern Australia, New Zealand, South America, Uruguay, the United States, Japan, Germany, Brazil, and Argentina |
| Habitat | Wetlands, riparian forests, and grasslands. On leaves, rocks, walls, and tree trunks |
| Web Type | Ladder like webs |
| Diet | Moths, ants, bees, jumping plant lice, wasps, cicadas, and bumblebees |
| Lifespan | 1-2 years (estimated) |
| Predators | White-tailed spiders, long-bodied cellar spiders, New Zealand Short-tailed birds, flies, and parasitic wasps |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Not listed |
In summary, the Grey House Spider is an integral component of the ecosystems it inhabits, providing essential services as a natural predator of various insects.
Dr. James Watuwa on August 12, 2019.
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