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Parasteatoda

Welcome! Parasteatoda spiders belong to the cobweb or comb-footed family. Most of them are found in the Old World with 42 types known by May 2020. But guess what? Some also live in parts of the New World. In this post, we’ll share cool facts about this topic!

Scientific Classification

Parasteatoda Spider

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Female spiders are around 0.31 inches (0.8 cm), while males measure approximately 0.15 inches (0.4 cm).
  • Color: Their color may vary from blackish-brown to grayish-brown, and even orange.
  • Other Characteristic Features: Some species like the common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) have a longer leg span. Both sexes have a difference in abdominal pattern, spherical in females and elongated in males.

Eggs

Female spiders make multiple egg sacs in their lifetime, with a single sac containing about 200 eggs.

Parasteatoda Spider Egg Sac

Spiderlings

They hatch in 7 – 10 days, and within a short time, they disperse to live on their own.

The Web

These spiders make messy, asymmetrical webs usually found near human settlements, mostly around garages, backyards, and gardens.

Are Parasteatoda Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Parasteatoda spiders have venom. They use it mainly to catch their food, like tiny bugs.

Can Parasteatoda Spiders Bite?

Yes, they can bite if they feel threatened. But don’t worry too much; their bites are usually not serious for people. It might feel like a bee sting.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Parasteatoda Spider

The Parasteatoda genus plays a significant ecological role, particularly in the control of insect populations. As natural pest controllers, their predation helps maintain a balanced ecosystem. Their behavior is characterized by their web-building. Unlike the geometric precision of orb weavers, Parasteatoda spiders create irregular, seemingly chaotic webs that are nonetheless effective traps for their prey.

Natural Predator: Despite their predatory skills, Parasteatoda spiders are not without their own predators. Birds, larger spiders, and even some species of wasps are known to hunt them. Their survival in a variety of habitats, including those altered by human activity, is a testament to their resilience and adaptability.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: Parasteatoda spiders exhibit interesting prey-predator dynamics. They primarily feed on common household pests such as flies, mosquitoes, and wasps. This diet reflects their ecological niche as both predator and prey. Through their predatory behavior, they control the populations of these insects, thereby exerting a considerable influence on their local environments.

Relationship with Humans: In human environments, Parasteatoda spiders often go unnoticed or are considered beneficial due to their diet of common pests. While they are venomous, their bites are rare and typically result in symptoms no more severe than a bee sting. The common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) is a familiar example, often residing in human dwellings where it continues its role as a natural pest controller.

Parasteatoda Tepidariorum

Quick Facts

DistributionNew Guinea, Asia, and Europe
HabitatGarden and grasslands
Web TypeMessy
DietFlies, mosquitoes, wasps, and other insects
Lifespan1-2 years (depending on species)

Did You Know

  • The Japanese name for this genus is “O-himogumo zoku”, meaning silky thread spider family.
  • The genus name is also a derivation from the Greek word “para”, meaning near or beside.
  • The U.S. arachnologist, Allan Frost Archer described this genus for the first time in 1946.

In summary, Parasteatoda spiders manage insect populations, face various predators, and coexist closely with humans, often unnoticed.

Welcome! Parasteatoda spiders belong to the cobweb or comb-footed family. Most of them are found in the Old World with 42 types known by May 2020. But guess what? Some also live in parts of the New World. In this post, we’ll share cool facts about this topic!

Parasteatoda Spider

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Female spiders are around 0.31 inches (0.8 cm), while males measure approximately 0.15 inches (0.4 cm).
  • Color: Their color may vary from blackish-brown to grayish-brown, and even orange.
  • Other Characteristic Features: Some species like the common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) have a longer leg span. Both sexes have a difference in abdominal pattern, spherical in females and elongated in males.

Eggs

Female spiders make multiple egg sacs in their lifetime, with a single sac containing about 200 eggs.

Parasteatoda Spider Egg Sac

Spiderlings

They hatch in 7 – 10 days, and within a short time, they disperse to live on their own.

The Web

These spiders make messy, asymmetrical webs usually found near human settlements, mostly around garages, backyards, and gardens.

Are Parasteatoda Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Parasteatoda spiders have venom. They use it mainly to catch their food, like tiny bugs.

Can Parasteatoda Spiders Bite?

Yes, they can bite if they feel threatened. But don’t worry too much; their bites are usually not serious for people. It might feel like a bee sting.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Parasteatoda Spider

The Parasteatoda genus plays a significant ecological role, particularly in the control of insect populations. As natural pest controllers, their predation helps maintain a balanced ecosystem. Their behavior is characterized by their web-building. Unlike the geometric precision of orb weavers, Parasteatoda spiders create irregular, seemingly chaotic webs that are nonetheless effective traps for their prey.

Natural Predator: Despite their predatory skills, Parasteatoda spiders are not without their own predators. Birds, larger spiders, and even some species of wasps are known to hunt them. Their survival in a variety of habitats, including those altered by human activity, is a testament to their resilience and adaptability.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: Parasteatoda spiders exhibit interesting prey-predator dynamics. They primarily feed on common household pests such as flies, mosquitoes, and wasps. This diet reflects their ecological niche as both predator and prey. Through their predatory behavior, they control the populations of these insects, thereby exerting a considerable influence on their local environments.

Relationship with Humans: In human environments, Parasteatoda spiders often go unnoticed or are considered beneficial due to their diet of common pests. While they are venomous, their bites are rare and typically result in symptoms no more severe than a bee sting. The common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) is a familiar example, often residing in human dwellings where it continues its role as a natural pest controller.

Parasteatoda Tepidariorum

Quick Facts

DistributionNew Guinea, Asia, and Europe
HabitatGarden and grasslands
Web TypeMessy
DietFlies, mosquitoes, wasps, and other insects
Lifespan1-2 years (depending on species)

Did You Know

  • The Japanese name for this genus is “O-himogumo zoku”, meaning silky thread spider family.
  • The genus name is also a derivation from the Greek word “para”, meaning near or beside.
  • The U.S. arachnologist, Allan Frost Archer described this genus for the first time in 1946.

In summary, Parasteatoda spiders manage insect populations, face various predators, and coexist closely with humans, often unnoticed.