Home / Cobweb Spiders / Red House (Nesticodes rufipes)

Red House (Nesticodes rufipes)

The red house spider is the sole species of the genus Nesticodes. Commonly found in cooler corners and doorframes of any house, the spider is red, justifying its name.

Scientific Classification

  • Family: Theridiidae
  • Genus: Nesticodes
  • Scientific name: Nesticodes rufipes

Red House Spider

 

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Females are 0.20-0.33 in (excluding the legs) and males are typically smaller.

Color: The body is essentially red with shades of orange or brown in some individuals.

Image of Red House Spider

Other Characteristic Features:  The globe-shaped abdomen in female spiders has a red marking, similar to the black widow spider’s abdomen.

Eggs

Eggs are laid on a round sac attached near to the web.

Red House Spider Egg

Spiderlings

The juvenile state has not been observed so far.

Red House Spiderling

The Web

Not much is known except the tangled web is extremely messy and the spider is protective of it.

Red House Spider Web

Are Red House Spiders Poisonous

Due to the non-necrotic venom, the bite from these spiders is not lethal for humans. But there will be pain lasting for a few hours along with swelling and redness.

Quick Facts

Distribution United States (California, Texas, and Florida) and Australia
Habitat Inside house, around the garden
Diet House flies, larder beetles, and ants
Lifespan Not observed
IUCN Conservation Status Not listed
Picture of Red House Spider

Did You Know

  • It is often confused with the black widow spider because of its abdomen.

Image Credit: Bushpea.com, Wixmp.com, Knowledgebase.lookseek.com, Findaspider.org.au, Cdn.whatsthatbug.com,
Ih3.googleusercontent.com

The red house spider is the sole species of the genus Nesticodes. Commonly found in cooler corners and doorframes of any house, the spider is red, justifying its name.

Red House Spider

 

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Females are 0.20-0.33 in (excluding the legs) and males are typically smaller.

Color: The body is essentially red with shades of orange or brown in some individuals.

Image of Red House Spider

Other Characteristic Features:  The globe-shaped abdomen in female spiders has a red marking, similar to the black widow spider’s abdomen.

Eggs

Eggs are laid on a round sac attached near to the web.

Red House Spider Egg

Spiderlings

The juvenile state has not been observed so far.

Red House Spiderling

The Web

Not much is known except the tangled web is extremely messy and the spider is protective of it.

Red House Spider Web

Are Red House Spiders Poisonous

Due to the non-necrotic venom, the bite from these spiders is not lethal for humans. But there will be pain lasting for a few hours along with swelling and redness.

Quick Facts

Distribution United States (California, Texas, and Florida) and Australia
Habitat Inside house, around the garden
Diet House flies, larder beetles, and ants
Lifespan Not observed
IUCN Conservation Status Not listed
Picture of Red House Spider

Did You Know

  • It is often confused with the black widow spider because of its abdomen.

Image Credit: Bushpea.com, Wixmp.com, Knowledgebase.lookseek.com, Findaspider.org.au, Cdn.whatsthatbug.com,
Ih3.googleusercontent.com