Tegenaria

Have you ever heard of the Tegenaria spiders? They’re part of the funnel weaver family, and there were 106 different kinds of them recorded in 2019. They mostly live in the Northern Hemisphere, but not in places like Indonesia or Japan. Fun fact: some spiders, like the hobo spider and giant house spider, used to be part of this group but now belong to another group called Eratigena. Ready to learn more?

Scientific Classification

Tegenaria Spider

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

  • T. abchasica
  • T. dentifera
  • T. oribata
  • T. achaea
  • Barn Funnel Weaver (Tegenaria domestica)
  • T. pagana
  • T. adomestica
  • T. africana
  • T. agnolettii
  • T. alamto
  • T. angustipalpis
  • T. anhela
  • T. animata
  • T. annae
  • T. annulata
  • T. argaeica
  • T. armigera
  • T. averni
  • T. bayeri
  • T. bayrami
  • T. bosnica
  • T. bozhkovi
  • T. campestris
  • T. capolongoi
  • T. carensis
  • T. chebana
  • T. chiricahuae
  • T. chumachenkoi
  • T. circeoensis
  • T. comnena
  • T. comstocki
  • T. concolor
  • T. cottarellii
  • T. croatica
  • T. daiamsanesis
  • T. dalmatica
  • T. decolorata
  • T. eleonorae
  • T. elysii
  • T. epacris
  • T. faniapollinis
  • T. femoralis
  • T. ferruginea
  • T. forestieroi
  • T. halidi
  • T. hamid
  • T. hasperi
  • T. hauseri
  • T. hemanginiae
  • T. henroti
  • T. ismaillensis
  • T. karaman
  • T. lapicidinarum
  • T. lehtineni
  • T. lenkoranica
  • T. levantina
  • T. longimana
  • T. lunakensis
  • T. lyncea
  • T. maelfaiti
  • T. mamikonian
  • T. maroccana
  • T. maronita
  • T. mediterranea
  • T. melbae
  • T. mercanturensis
  • T. michae
  • T. mirifica
  • T. montana
  • T. montiszasensis
  • T. nakhchivanica
  • T. parietina
  • T. parmenidis
  • T. parvula
  • T. pasquinii
  • T. percuriosa
  • T. pieperi
  • T. pindosiensis
  • T. podoprygorai
  • T. pontica
  • T. pseudolyncea
  • T. racovitzai
  • T. ramblae
  • T. regispyrrhi
  • T. rhodiensis
  • T. rilaensis
  • T. sbordonii
  • T. schmalfussi
  • T. schoenhoferi
  • T. scopifera
  • T. serrana
  • T. shillongensis
  • T. silvestris
  • T. talyshica
  • T. taurica
  • T. tekke
  • T. tridentina
  • T. tyrrhenica
  • T. vallei
  • T. vanensis
  • T. vankeerorum
  • T. vignai
  • T. wittmeri
  • T. zagatalensis
  • T. zamanii

Tegenaria Domestica

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Most spiders of this genus measure 0.39 – 0.78 inches (1 to 2 cm) on average, minus the leg span. Like always, the female species are bigger than their male counterparts.

Tegenaria Size

  • Color: Most of them appear brown, black, and gray with spots and bands on their legs and abdomen. The barn funnel weaver (Tegenaria domestica), for example, has a dark orange, beige, or brown body with black stripes on its cephalothorax.
  • Other Characteristic Features: They have eight eyes mostly arranged in straight rows.

Eggs

The pale white, round eggs remain safely encased within the sac.

Spiderlings

Spiderlings go through several molting phases before reaching adulthood.

The Web

Tegenaria spiders spin a sheet web within which lies a tubular retreat.

Tegenaria Web

Are Tegenaria Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Tegenaria Spiders are venomous. They use their venom to catch their food, but it’s not too strong for humans.

Can Tegenaria Spiders Bite?

Yes, Tegenaria Spiders can bite. They usually keep to themselves, but if they do bite, it’s a bit like a small pinch and isn’t harmful for most people.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Tegenaria Spider

Tegenaria spiders play a crucial role in regulating insect populations, contributing to the ecological balance. They exhibit nocturnal behavior, actively hunting during the night and resting in their retreats by day. Their funnel-web structure is not just their home but also a strategic trap for unwary prey.

Natural Predators: Birds and larger insects stand as natural predators to Tegenaria spiders. The spiders’ reclusive nature and camouflaged coloring serve as their primary defense mechanisms, aiding in evasion from these threats.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The Tegenaria’s unique web structure and hunting tactics underscore the intricate prey-predator dynamics in their habitat. They rely on their speed and stealth, coupled with their venom, to capture prey, while their secretive lifestyle helps keep them safe from predators.

Relationship with Humans: Though capable of biting, Tegenaria spiders prefer to keep their distance from humans. Their presence is often unnoticed, and they contribute positively to households by keeping insect populations in check. Understanding their reclusive nature and the role they play in our ecosystem fosters a harmonious coexistence.

Tegenaria Spider Image

Quick Facts

DistributionThe entire northern hemisphere (except Indonesia and Japan)
HabitatBetween the walls and backyard
DietInsects
Web TypeFunnel-web
LifespanMales: 1 year
Females: 1.5 years; some species live for up to seven years especially if kept in undisturbed and temperate areas, like basements, storage rooms, and attics

Did You Know

  • The French zoologist, Pierre André Latreille, described the genus for the first time in 1804.

In essence, Tegenaria spiders are a vital component of their ecosystems, leading secretive yet impactful lives.

Have you ever heard of the Tegenaria spiders? They’re part of the funnel weaver family, and there were 106 different kinds of them recorded in 2019. They mostly live in the Northern Hemisphere, but not in places like Indonesia or Japan. Fun fact: some spiders, like the hobo spider and giant house spider, used to be part of this group but now belong to another group called Eratigena. Ready to learn more?

Tegenaria Spider

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

  • T. abchasica
  • T. dentifera
  • T. oribata
  • T. achaea
  • Barn Funnel Weaver (Tegenaria domestica)
  • T. pagana
  • T. adomestica
  • T. africana
  • T. agnolettii
  • T. alamto
  • T. angustipalpis
  • T. anhela
  • T. animata
  • T. annae
  • T. annulata
  • T. argaeica
  • T. armigera
  • T. averni
  • T. bayeri
  • T. bayrami
  • T. bosnica
  • T. bozhkovi
  • T. campestris
  • T. capolongoi
  • T. carensis
  • T. chebana
  • T. chiricahuae
  • T. chumachenkoi
  • T. circeoensis
  • T. comnena
  • T. comstocki
  • T. concolor
  • T. cottarellii
  • T. croatica
  • T. daiamsanesis
  • T. dalmatica
  • T. decolorata
  • T. eleonorae
  • T. elysii
  • T. epacris
  • T. faniapollinis
  • T. femoralis
  • T. ferruginea
  • T. forestieroi
  • T. halidi
  • T. hamid
  • T. hasperi
  • T. hauseri
  • T. hemanginiae
  • T. henroti
  • T. ismaillensis
  • T. karaman
  • T. lapicidinarum
  • T. lehtineni
  • T. lenkoranica
  • T. levantina
  • T. longimana
  • T. lunakensis
  • T. lyncea
  • T. maelfaiti
  • T. mamikonian
  • T. maroccana
  • T. maronita
  • T. mediterranea
  • T. melbae
  • T. mercanturensis
  • T. michae
  • T. mirifica
  • T. montana
  • T. montiszasensis
  • T. nakhchivanica
  • T. parietina
  • T. parmenidis
  • T. parvula
  • T. pasquinii
  • T. percuriosa
  • T. pieperi
  • T. pindosiensis
  • T. podoprygorai
  • T. pontica
  • T. pseudolyncea
  • T. racovitzai
  • T. ramblae
  • T. regispyrrhi
  • T. rhodiensis
  • T. rilaensis
  • T. sbordonii
  • T. schmalfussi
  • T. schoenhoferi
  • T. scopifera
  • T. serrana
  • T. shillongensis
  • T. silvestris
  • T. talyshica
  • T. taurica
  • T. tekke
  • T. tridentina
  • T. tyrrhenica
  • T. vallei
  • T. vanensis
  • T. vankeerorum
  • T. vignai
  • T. wittmeri
  • T. zagatalensis
  • T. zamanii

Tegenaria Domestica

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Most spiders of this genus measure 0.39 – 0.78 inches (1 to 2 cm) on average, minus the leg span. Like always, the female species are bigger than their male counterparts.

Tegenaria Size

  • Color: Most of them appear brown, black, and gray with spots and bands on their legs and abdomen. The barn funnel weaver (Tegenaria domestica), for example, has a dark orange, beige, or brown body with black stripes on its cephalothorax.
  • Other Characteristic Features: They have eight eyes mostly arranged in straight rows.

Eggs

The pale white, round eggs remain safely encased within the sac.

Spiderlings

Spiderlings go through several molting phases before reaching adulthood.

The Web

Tegenaria spiders spin a sheet web within which lies a tubular retreat.

Tegenaria Web

Are Tegenaria Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Tegenaria Spiders are venomous. They use their venom to catch their food, but it’s not too strong for humans.

Can Tegenaria Spiders Bite?

Yes, Tegenaria Spiders can bite. They usually keep to themselves, but if they do bite, it’s a bit like a small pinch and isn’t harmful for most people.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Tegenaria Spider

Tegenaria spiders play a crucial role in regulating insect populations, contributing to the ecological balance. They exhibit nocturnal behavior, actively hunting during the night and resting in their retreats by day. Their funnel-web structure is not just their home but also a strategic trap for unwary prey.

Natural Predators: Birds and larger insects stand as natural predators to Tegenaria spiders. The spiders’ reclusive nature and camouflaged coloring serve as their primary defense mechanisms, aiding in evasion from these threats.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The Tegenaria’s unique web structure and hunting tactics underscore the intricate prey-predator dynamics in their habitat. They rely on their speed and stealth, coupled with their venom, to capture prey, while their secretive lifestyle helps keep them safe from predators.

Relationship with Humans: Though capable of biting, Tegenaria spiders prefer to keep their distance from humans. Their presence is often unnoticed, and they contribute positively to households by keeping insect populations in check. Understanding their reclusive nature and the role they play in our ecosystem fosters a harmonious coexistence.

Tegenaria Spider Image

Quick Facts

DistributionThe entire northern hemisphere (except Indonesia and Japan)
HabitatBetween the walls and backyard
DietInsects
Web TypeFunnel-web
LifespanMales: 1 year
Females: 1.5 years; some species live for up to seven years especially if kept in undisturbed and temperate areas, like basements, storage rooms, and attics

Did You Know

  • The French zoologist, Pierre André Latreille, described the genus for the first time in 1804.

In essence, Tegenaria spiders are a vital component of their ecosystems, leading secretive yet impactful lives.