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Spider Photos - Steatoda or Steadota
There seems to be some question as to which version - Steadota or Steatoda is correct. I have found it both ways so will make mention here of this anomaly so that my viewers are aware that they may see it either way. Spiders of the genus Steadota/Steatoda belong to the spider family Theridiidae, or the cobweb weavers. Also known as Combfooted Spiders, this family includes a number of well known arachnids, including the American house spider, Achaearanea tepidariorum, and the redback and widow spiders, Latrodectus spp.. Steatoda spiders are found throughout the world, in both temperate and tropical climates. They are small to moderately small (3-9 mm) spiders with oval abdomens; they may be reddish, brownish or black, with most species exhibiting a white band at the front of the dorsal abdomen which may resemble a collar. These spiders construct a strong, irregular web, somewhat resembling the webs of widow spiders; this web is very sticky, making it a highly effective snare for hobo spiders which they are very good at catching. Steadota/Steatoda grossa, the false black widow spider  is the most well known of the Steadota/Steatoda spiders. Found in cosmopolitan areas around the world, and on both coasts of the United States, grossa is a larger (9 mm) Steadota/Steatoda which, as its common name suggests, may resemble a black widow spider (with no hourglass). Specimens can be reddish to purplish brown in colour, with pale yellow markings on the dorsal abdomen, but many specimens are so dark that these pale markings cannot be distinguished. Steadota/Steatoda grossa is a common and well known "house spider" in many areas, constructing its webs in and around buildings, rock walls, and other structures. It has long been known that the "false black widow" will ensnare, kill and prey upon actual black widow spiders in its natural habitat. The bite of the common comb footed spider causes mild local pain unlike the redback/widow spiders whose bites should be treated immediately with antivenom, especially in a young child.
Info  - www.hobospider.org.
Many thanks for allowing us to use the photos sent in. All photos are copyright to their owners and may not be reproduced without permission. Please choose a section.
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STEATODA
(Steatoda nobilis)(Steatoda Paykulliana) (Steatoda grossa) (Steatoda triangulosa)
The false widow spiders belong to the genus, or group, called Steatoda . There are six species of Steatoda found in the UK including one introduced species, Steatoda nobilis.This group of spiders get their name because they look similar to the true black widow group of spiders, genus Latrodectus. However Steatoda are significantly less harmful to humans. Steatoda are shaped similarly to widow spiders, with round, bulbous abdomens. However, not all Steatoda species resemble widows – many have distinct coloring, and are significantly smaller than Latrodectus specimens. Some species of Steatoda actually will prey on widows, as well as other spiders which are considered hazardous to humans. In common with other members of the Theridiidae family, the Steatoda spiders construct a cobweb, i.e., an irregular tangle of sticky silken fibres. As with other web-weavers, these spiders have very poor eyesight and depend mostly on vibrations reaching them through their webs to orient themselves to prey or warn them of larger animals that could injure or kill them. They are not aggressive, and most injuries to humans are due to defensive bites delivered when a spider gets unintentionally squeezed or pinched somehow. It is possible that some bites may result when a spider mistakes a finger thrust into its web for its normal prey, but ordinarily intrusion by any large creature will cause these spiders to flee.  Some members of this genus do have bites which are medically significant in humans (such as S. grossa and S. nobilis), however bites by Steatoda species generally do not have any long-lasting effects.

S. nobilis is native to the Canary Islands but arrived in England in around 1870 through bananas sent to Torquay. In England it has a reputation as one of the few local spider species which is capable of inflicting a painful bite to humans - although this is a comparatively rare occurrence.
Steatoda Grossa - UK Steatoda Grossa - USA Steatoda Grossa - Other
Steatoda triangulosa Steatoda nobilis  Steatoda Paykulliana
Steatoda bipunctata Other Steatoda

 

False Widow Spider - Steatoda Grossa
UNITED KINGDOM

Reply: Yes, it is a false widow with prey - glen

19 August, 2017:
Hi there Found in Ireland. Yesterday morning. Very unusual shell like abdomen. Is it false widow ? Thanks
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Reply: This is a false widow with prey - glen

18 August, 2017:
These are frequent users of our garden:

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Reply: Yes!!  - glen

25 April, 2017:
False widow UK
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Reply: This looks like a false widow  - glen

27 August, 2016:
Hello! I was wondering if you could identify this spider for me. It has a gnarly looking skull on its abdomen. Thanks! Tom

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Reply: This is a false widow  - glen

5 June, 2016:
I have never seen this type of spider. Could you tell me what it is please. Kind regards Glyn

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Reply: This looks like a false widow  - glen

22 August, 2015:
Hi there, hope you can help, Seen a few spiders in our back wall and they look a little more vicious than the usual culprits =) Please see photos attached. Just wanted to know what they are and should I be concerned for the kiddies? We live in London, UK, Thanks for any help, much appreciated. (they do look like awesome spiders though) Photos are quite clear but if I need to get more to help will do. (The ones in the funnel type never really show their hole body) Regards David

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Reply: This looks like a false widow too - glen

22 August, 2015:
Could you please identity this spider I found in my house. I live in the uk and have never seen one like this Mark

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Reply: This looks like a false widow too - glen

22 August, 2015:
Hi I saw this spider last night in my garden. Any ideas???? Thanks Yvonne
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Reply: This looks like a false widow too - glen

1 July, 2015:
Please could you tell me what type of spider this is

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Reply: This looks like a false widow - glen

1 July, 2015:
Do you know which species this is?

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Reply: This looks like a false widow - glen

29 June, 2015:
Hi I'm from Ireland, where we generally have no poisonous spiders but I thought this spider looked a little different from others here so I took a photo. I think it looks like a false widow as these spiders are being spotted more and more in Ireland. Many thanks for any suggestions. Alan.

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Reply: This looks like a false widow - glen

29 June, 2015:
Hi I'm in the UK and I wonder if you might be able to identify this little charmer for me? I can't really give an accurate size but I would estimate it at around 3-4 cms, if not bigger. It's living on the ceiling of a passageway right above my door and I've not seen anything like this before. The large blob or spot on the back is a reflection from the outside light, I didn't use a flash for the photos. Spiders don't usually bother me, but this one does! Thanks Tim

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Reply: This looks like a false widow - glen

29 June, 2015:
Do you know which species this is?
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Reply: This is a false widow - glen

5 December, 2014:
Good evening, I found this on the wall out side my house and I'm shore it's common but not shire is there any chance u can feel the blanks, Lee London Uk

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28 October, 2014:
Helllo I found this spider in my back garden in Hampshire england can you help me identify it

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Reply: This is a false widow - glen

15 November, 2014:
Hi I was wondering if you could help , I work for a branch of Siemens in Birmingham that carry out repairs to traffic lights During the day we need to gain access to many cabinets that house the control units for these lights and often come across spiders that cause us no concern , apart from today while working on one of these cabinets the spider in the attached picture popped it head up. For future reference and to instruct my team how to react could you please identify this spider as I dare say we may come across one of these in the future. Many Thanks in advance. Regards Paul

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Reply: This is a false widow - glen

15 November, 2014:
Good morning I found this spider in a bunch of grapes bought from a supermarket here in the UK. The origin of the grapes is Spain, and I can't seem to find a picture of it online. It is about a centimetre big, not overly lively, very shiny body with the gold zigzag also appearing on each side of its abdomen as well as the top. Any information would be appreciated. It is still alive although contained in case it's a nasty one. Kind regards Louise

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Reply: This is a false widow - glen

15 November, 2014:
Hi there, I took a photo of this spider yesterday morning. It was eating a wasp. Could you please identify it. Picture not brilliant t but hope you can help.
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Reply: Could be a false widow. They are not native to Britain but have been found a lot lately - glen

28 October, 2014:
Could you please identify this spider for me please I'm from north wales in the uk and just wondering if it's safe as I have kids Kind regards Chris

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Reply: The colours are brighter than normal but it could be a false widow. They are not native to Britain but have been found a lot lately - glen

15 August, 2014:
Sorry photo didn't send before.. Is this native to Britain??

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Reply: Yes I think this is a false widow too - glen

17 July, 2014:
Hi Glen Can you ID this please? Is it a False Widow? Is it dangerous? Found in a garage in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK. It was ankle height on the wall. Thanks Steve

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Reply: This is a false widow too - glen

17 July, 2014:
HSo after doing some research I thought it might of been the false widow. But the colour of his back is such a deep maroon colour. Also it seems so much larger in comparison to most. Any ideas on this species? Outdoors. No web near.

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Reply: This is a false widow too - glen

6 July, 2014:
Hi, I live out in the sticks in England and came across this spider in a room we are re decorating, could you please identify it for me.

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28 June, 2014
Please help me!!!! Found this today in my summer house, Essex, England. I'm petrified!!!

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13 June, 2014
Hi! Would you be able to identify this spider please? My husband found it at work underneath a manhole cover and was suprised by its shear size (here in the uk anyway) surprised enough he took some photos! Thanks in advance Sarah

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Reply: This is a false widow too - glen

6 May, 2014:
 Hi im from the UK and having trouble trying to find someone to identify a spider for me. Here is the picture. I hope you can help. Thank you.

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Reply: This is a false widow too - glen

6 May, 2014:
 What spider?

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Reply: This is a false widow - glen

6 May, 2014:
 Hey, I live in kent UK and have a ridiculous amount of spiders in my home! Heres two I found just in this week. Can you identify them please?! Thanks Lauren

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Reply: This is a false widow - glen

6 May, 2014:
 Dear Glen, I'm hoping you can help me identify this spider please. I found three of these on the hospital ward where I work, in southern England (a rural county) underneath a shelf in my new (to me!) office. There was wispy web everywhere and lots of larger insect carcasses. Please could you let me know what they are as you really seem to know what you're on about! I'm hoping they are not likely to be a significant risk to my elderly patients as, once I have cleared the office out, (not touched for years) then they shouldn't have anywhere to hang out! Many thanks Kirsty

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Reply: This is a false widow - glen

14 April, 2014:
 Hi there I live in the uk and spotted this spider in the attic, there is only one I can see however there is quite a lot of egg sacks! Apologies if the photos are not clear... Let me know if you need clearer ones. Look forward to your reply. Regards Stuart

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Reply: This is a false widow - glen

14 April, 2014:
 Hi im from the UK and having trouble trying to find someone to identify a spider for me. Here is the picture. I hope you can help. Thank you.

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Reply: This looks like a false widow - glen

21 March, 2014:
Hello , I found this in my house in Essex uk , all the hype about false widows make me wonder what this is ,it sure looks like one to me , if u look closely you can see a faint cream band round the front of the top of it's bulbous body , no prominent markings in back but it's shiny and smooth and full , what do u think ? It's quiet a beauty Joanne

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Reply: This is steatoda grossa  - glen

6 March, 2014:
Hey, I found this in my kitchen in the UK - can you identify it at all? Thanks Zoe

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Reply: This is steatoda grossa  - glen

12 October, 2013:
Hello, I found this in my garden last night. It looks very similar if not identical to the 'false widow' spider that is spreading rapidly throughout the uk according to the media frenzy. Can you either confirm this or tell me what it really is please? Many thanks, Jo, Bracknell, Berkshire.

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Reply: This is steatoda grossa  - glen

12 October, 2013:
Hi Glen These weird and colourful spiders were found in my conservatory last week. (One male , one female at a guess) They were webbed against a brown binocular case, the web was stronger than the norm, and lots of big dead insects and bits were strewn around. I wondered if it was a red legged purse web spider, but was hesitant to let them go in case they were poisonous, can you help. We have had a heat wave in the uk, but I have never seen anything so red here before.

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16 June,  2013:
Identify please

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Reply: This is looks like a false widow spider   - glen

11 March, 2012:
Hello, I’m from the UK and I found this spider in my bedroom before and recently l have appeared to have been bitten, my stomach had a couple of bites on it and the area was swollen and tender and hurt quite a bit! It may not have been this spider that bit me but i'd still like to know what it is as i've never seen anything like it before. Please help. Jess

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Reply: This is steadota grossa, the false widow spider.
30 September, 2008:
Hi Glen... I'm a big fan of the site, and have been keeping an eye out for my local spiders, and have been carrying a camera round with me to get pictures where possible. I've attached a few pictures that you can use, but there is one spider in there that i dont recognise... The Steatoda Grossa, and the Orb Weaver I know, but the last one is a mystery to me. It has a body length of about 18mm, the cephalothorax is shiny like black armour, and the abdomen was like the texture of brushed velvet. I live on the South Coast of the UK, so i fear it may be a European species that you might not know, but I hope you might have some idea, even if it's just an idea of what family it's from. Anyway, thank you for looking, and keep up the great work. Glen

Reply: This is looks like a false widow spider  - glen

12 April, 2011:
Please could you identify the spider I found in my garden (UK). Many Thanks Sarah

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Reply: Looks like one of the steadota family - steadota nobilis which is common in UK.

2 December, 2008:
Hi Glen, I found this spider in my garden and its a bit strange (well for me anyway), I have never seen a spider like this before. the pictures aren't very good as im not brave enough to get closer of catch it. I have been watching it grow over the last few months, it started a shiny purple, and has now grown to shiny brown with a beige design on its back. Cheers Lianda

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