My Petz Rule
Advertising Prices
Spider Bites & Pets
You Tube Spiders
Quick Reference Guide
Spider Hoaxes
Spiderzrule Forum
Spiderzrule Blog
Keeping Spiders
Spider Web Construction
Spider Bite Treatment
Spider Removal
Spider Posters
Great Spider Photos
Spider Legends
Spider Superstitions
Web Photos
Questions & Answers
Year 5's Red-back 1998
Year 5's Spiders 2000
Year 5's Spiders 2001
Common Spiders Aus
Common Spiders USA
Australian Spiders -
Red-back
Australian Spiders -
Funnel-web
Other Spiders
Wandering Spider
Another Arachnid
Spider First Aid
Recluse bite photos
Famous Spider Poems
Our Spider Poems
Viewers' Spider Poems
Spider Songs
Spider Stories
Spider Letters
Spider Art
Kids' Spider Homes
Chocolate Spiders
Cookie Spiders
Spider Lessons
Online Exercises
Spider Food Hunt
Spider Links
Spider Awards
Main Page
Email

You are viewer number:

 
Buy at Art.com
A large tarantula spider on a mans arm
Buy From Art.com
 

Buy at Art.com
Arachnids - International
Buy From Art.com

 
 
 
 

CHECK OUT MY NEW PAGES ON PETS - WWW.MYPETZRULE.COM!!

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.

 NEW: Now you can advertise on the largest spider's site in the world!! Reasonable rates, pay monthly or yearly, choose your page, limited spaces available -  check it out now!

Unidentified Spiders 2012 Unidentified Spiders 2011 Unidentified Spiders 2010
Unidentified Spiders 2009 (1) Unidentified Spiders 2009 (2) Unidentified Spiders 2008 (1)
Unidentified Spiders 2008 (2) Unidentified Spiders 2007 (1) Unidentified Spiders 2007 (2)
Unidentified Spiders 2007 (3) Unidentified Spiders 2006 (1) Unidentified Spiders 2006 (2)
Unidentified Spiders 2006 (3) Unidentified Spiders 2005 (2) Unidentified Spiders 2005 (3)
Unidentified Spiders 2005 (1) Unidentified Spiders 2004 (1) Unidentified Spiders 2004 (2)
Unidentified Spiders 2003 Unidentified Spiders 2002 Unidentified Spiders 2001
Spiders in Amber Closeups Ant Mimicking Spiders
Argiopes/St. Andrew's Cross Barn Funnel Weaving Spider Basilica  Spiders
Bird Dropping Spiders Black House Spiders Bolas Spiders
Brown Recluse Spiders Candy Stripe Spiders Common House Spider
Crab Spiders Cyclosa Conica Daddy Long Legs
Daring Jumping Spiders Fishing Spiders Funnel Web (Aus)
Furrow Spider Garden Orb Weavers Giant House Spider
Golden Orb Weavers Grass spiders/Funnel Weavers Ground Spiders
Hacklemesh Weavers Hobo Spiders Huntsman Spiders
Jewelled Spiders Jumping Spiders Ladybird Spiders
Leaf Curling Spiders Long Jawed Orb Weavers Lynx Spiders
Marbled Orb Weavers Micarathena Mouse Spiders
Mygalomorphs Net casting Spider Nursery Web Spiders
Parson Spiders Pirate Spiders Pseudoscorpion
Purseweb Spider Redback Spiders Red Spotted Ant Mimic Spiders
Running Crab Spiders Scorpion Spiders Solfugids/Camel Spiders
Southern House Spiders Spider Tats Spitting Spiders
Steatoda Tailless Whip Scorpions Tarantulas
Trapdoor Spiders Venusta Orchard Spiders Wandering Spiders
White Tailed Spiders

Widow Spiders

Wolf Spiders
Woodlouse Hunters Yellow & Broad faced Sac Spiders  

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 Steatoda triangulosa
 Steatoda Paykulliana

Steatoda bipunctata/Other Steatoda

False Widow Spider - Steatoda Grossa

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

21 January, 2012:
Attached is an image of a spider, can you tell me what kind it is and if it's poisonous? Thanks Todd

.
Reply: This is a false widow  - glen

16 September, 2011:
Hey, saw this spider some time ago, and took some pictures, any idea what type it is? Was quite pretty.

 

.
Reply: This is some sort of steatoda but can't see the top of the abdomen to be sure which one   - glen

7 August, 2011:
I found two spiders in the last week outside of my door. I live in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and I sure am NOT used to seeing spiders bigger than my thumb. (it's body) The first spider was dark-dark brown. I could have swore it was a tarantula in my shock. It also had 3-4 lighter brown bands around it's legs. And it's way bigger than I have seen outside of an terrarium. The second spider was less impressive. It was still a bit larger than we are used to in this part of the world so I took a picture. When I saw the picture full size it also had light brown bands around parts of it's legs. It's shape didn't look like the first one I found. ( the tarantula guy ) but it looks more the SHAPE of a black widow. Very large and round abdomen. I only mention it because it kinda made me think it's a female version of the hairy one I found, or maybe it had a haircut. The second one also had spikey- things on it's legs. Wondering if anyone could help out. Thanks, Logan.

.
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

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

6 April, 2011:
Hi Glen, We have this spider in our window, between the glass and the screen. The body shape reminded me of the widows, but it's not black, and since we're in PA, I think we're too far north for the brown widow. It also doesn't seem to have a distinct hourglass shape. We've also seen some spiders inside that look similar to the widow males, but I haven't been able to get photos of them. Any thoughts? Thanks! ~jen

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

28 February, 2011:
She's been living in our orchid since we moved it in, back in November. The orchid is blooming now! Spider seems quite happy. Is this a Steadoda? If so, what's your guess on the sex and sub-species? Thanks! Sue in Michigan

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

25 December, 2010:
Attached is an image of a spider, can you tell me what kind it is and if it's poisonous? Thanks Todd

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

13 December, 2010:
Hello, I'm not sure who could best help me to identify this spider but I just found it in my house underneath a small bookcase.  It initially looked similiar to a black widow but I know it definitely does not have the distinguishing hourglass marking and black color. Any ideas? Thanks, Dan, Sacramento, Ca 95843

.
Reply: This is looks like a false widow spider but I'm not positive - glen

7 December, 2010:
Hi! I have an interesting looking spider in my hallway that I haven't been able to identify. I'm hoping you can help me identify it. I've attached a picture of it. Thanks!

.
Reply: This is a false widow spider which looks like the other widows but has no red markings. - glen

7 December, 2010:
need help identifying this spider. looks like a black or brown widow

.
Reply: This could be a false widow spider too. - glen

20 September, 2010:
Hi. Any idea what this is? It was found in Southeastern USA.

.
Reply: This is also probably one of the steatoda varieties, often called false widow spiders. - glen

31 August, 2010:
Hello, Which spider is this? I caught this on our front porch here in Gilbert, AZ. Thank you! Mark

.
Reply: It is probably one of the steatoda varieties, often called false widow spiders. - glen

5 August, 2010:
Could you id these spiders? Thanks, John

.
14 August, 2010:
Hi Glen. I've been looking at your website and thought I would email you to see if you can help identify some spiders. Spiders and I are not really friends. They're mostly friendly but like a lot of people, my initial instinct is extremely negative. I do know they're beneficial though so I'm trying to learn to tolerate them. They only really bother me when I find them in places where I am or my animals are a lot of the time. Spider2 and Spider3 were both found in our sunroom/patio where the dogs spend a lot of time, including nighttime. I'm pretty sure Spider1 is a wolf spider. I stumbled upon tons of them in our backyard this week when I went out at night with a flashlight. I included a picture of the yard with their eyes reflecting back at me (difficult to catch a picture of with my camera). I'm tempted to say Spider2 is a wolf spider also, because of the reflective eyes, but this spider was up in a web on a string of lights in our sunroom. There is one picture where the flash washed the spider out but caught the web, so I'm including that one. When I blew on the spider to get it to move (to see if I could get a different angle picture) s/he scurried into the nearby light fixture it looks like it's been hiding in. Both Spider2 & Spider3 are small, definitely no bigger than a dime. My father-in-law says Spider3 is a brown widow. I looked at pictures of those on your site but can't say definitively that I agree with him. Just in case, we did remove it from the room. I got a stick and brought down the egg sac you see in one of the pictures of Spider3; it was not spiny/spiky like the brown widow egg sac is supposed to be, so I just don't know. We live in a smaller town about 30 minutes east of San Antonio and an hour south of Austin in Texas. We live in our own house in a neighborhood, not in a condo/apartment and not in the country. Thank you very much for any help you can provide! Jessica

..
Reply: It is probably one of the steatoda varieties, often called false widow spiders. Their venom is similar to the widows but not nearly as strong, I'd keep an eye on the dog and if it shows any signs of paralysis or breathing problems, take it straight to the vet - glen

5 August, 2010:
Dear Awesome Spider Website People! My friend found this spider in her home and is wondering what it is. Her dog seemed to have been bitten tonight. They are not reacting horribly, just that they are biting at themselves. She searched around her home and found this spider indoors. Could you please let me know if you can identify the spider below and its threat level? Many of us searched the internet and could not find it anywhere. Thanks so much! All my best, Cynthia

.
Reply: This is a false widow spider - glen

24 June, 2010:
Taken in California. Red Bluff, June 22, 2010. What kind of spider is this? In our back door's screen. I assume it's of the widow family. Is it as dangerous as the typical black widow spider? Thankyou in advance, Renee

.
28 May, 2010:
Dear Spider enthusiasts, I recently traveled to Iran and upon returning home in Toronto I found that a strange spider had found its way into my luggage. At first glance I thought it was a black widow spider as it was black with a continuous band of reddish orange circling its abdomen. I've been feeding it regularly with insects in hopes to keep it alive so that I may be able identify the little fellow. I've attached a few photos to help. Best, Arman

.
24 May, 2010:
Hi I'm in New Jersey about an hour away from New York city...the other day I saw this black spider near the floor behind the bathroom door...I was paranoid it was a black widow but couldn't get a view of it's under belly where the hour glass is suppose to be...tonight I was getting ready for bed and again near the floor in the corner on the other side of the door was what looks like the same kind of spider....my camcorder has a picture feature but I had to get a flashlight to light it up a bit....but then zooming is causes the camera to be shaky...can you by any chance identify the spider in these pictures? Scared to death that it's a black widow. Will anything like raid kill these? There was one like this in the shower once and my husband used a sheet of paper and a plastic dome to trap it...that one is in the fourth pic..."IMG_0155.jpg". I keep getting told these are just ...black spiders but they look kinda like black widows to me..just cant see the underbelly... Please get back to me on this as we're not sure what to do when we see it...and if the one that was caught under the dome is a black widow I'll have to get angry at my hubby for going near it lol. Thanks! Krista

.
3 May, 2010:
Frederick, MD Found in on the outside of house window 4/30/2010

.
21 August, 2009:
Hi, we stayed in a cabin in Utah, and these spiders were everywhere... the body type seemed similar to that of a black widow, but the abdomen is different. Do you have any idea? Thanks -Stacy

.
Reply: Looks like one of the steatoda family.

28 June, 2009:
Hey there, Found her? crawling out of a cardboard box of wood we had brought into the house Wood was small branches cut from a tree a year ago and had been sitting outside in the carport We're in Auckland, New Zealand Most I can find is it looks like it could be a brown house, false katipo or false black widow, all which appear about the same thing but can be anything from black to all weird markings but look the same. Any ideas? Not sure if it is dangerous etc and if I should be contacting any sort of government agency if it shouldn't be here (though I'm guessing its fine) Philip

.
Reply: Looks like one of the steatoda family

3 June, 2009:
Hi. I live in Connecticut, USA. We found this spider the other day in our house. We have no clue what it is, but it is definitely something we haven't seen before. It is brown/black in color. The head & body together measure about 1/4" with a total overall length of 3/4". I came across your great website in trying to find out what kind of spider it is. Can you help with identifying what it is? Thank you. Regina L.

.
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

.
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

.
4 February, 2008:
Two photos of probably a common House Spider that was on a gallon jar.

 

.
2 March, 2008:
Hi Glen, Here are some assorted Steadota pictures I've recently taken. There seems to be a good variety of them around here. Feel free to use my pictures if you want. Damy

..
28 November, 2006:
I can't seem to identify it. I found it in my bathtub after being out of town for a week. I'm in Kalispell, MT. Any ideas?

 

..
Reply: This is a false widow spider - glen

17 November, 2006:

Sir,
Found this in my home this morning.

.
         
Buy at Art.com
Spider Man: Crouching Spi...
Buy From Art.com
Buy at Art.com
Spider-Man 2 - Sacrifice ...
Buy From Art.com
Buy at Art.com
Spider-Man 2 - Destiny (d...
Buy From Art.com
Buy at Art.com
Spider-Man (Style A)
Buy From Art.com
Buy at Art.com
Spider-Man
Buy From Art.com

Here's a really worthwhile site to help support the kids in Africa who are suffering in the AIDS epidemic. Click on the banner for more info.>

Then There Was You - An Ivf Story

Then There Was You - a great book for kids about IVF. Click the book for more info or buy.

Looking for a web page?  Look no further for world wide service, great design and reasonable prices!

Our real tribe - car stickers and fridge magnets

Premium Bali Huts -
we ship Australia wide

 

Email for a free quote for your sign needs in SE Queensland

Google

Adult Toys

Curtains Unlimited

Curtains Unlimited - quality custom curtains & blinds - Brisbane & the Gold Coast.

 
Buy at Art.com
Spider-Man 2 - Sacrifice
Buy From Art.com

Buy at Art.com
Closeup of a happy face spider
Buy From Art.com