Parasteatoda tepidariorum
Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox
Parasteatoda tepidariorum, the common house spider or American house spider, is a spider species of the genus Parasteatoda with a cosmopolitan distribution.<ref name="McGregorHilbrant2008" /><ref name=":1" /> Common house spiders are synanthropic and live in and near human dwellings.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> Their prey mechanism is similar to that of the other cobweb spiders: the spider follows disturbances transmitted along the web to entangle and then paralyze its prey, which usually consists of household insects and other invertebrates (often considered as pests).
Distribution
Parasteatoda tepidariorum is native to Asia but has been introduced to Canada, the USA, South America, Europe, Morocco, Turkey, the Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Saint Helena, South Africa, the Seychelles, New Zealand, and Hawaii.<ref name="wsc" />
In South Africa, the species has been sampled from the provinces Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape. Notable locations include Mountain Zebra National Park and Robben Island.<ref name="dippenaar2021" />
Habitat and ecology
This species constructs three-dimensional webs in dark corners and is frequently found around buildings.<ref name="dippenaar2021" />
In South Africa, Parasteatoda tepidariorum inhabits areas at altitudes from 1246 to 1513 m above sea level and has been sampled from the Fynbos, Nama Karoo, and Savanna biomes.<ref name="dippenaar2021" />
Description
Appearance
Common house spiders are variable in color from tan to nearly black, frequently with patterns of differing shades on their body.<ref name=":0" /> Females are generally between Template:Convert long, and males are generally between Template:Convert long.<ref name=":0" /> They can be an inch (2.5 cm) or more across with legs outspread.Template:Citation needed The average female body mass is about 37.7 mg.<ref name=":2" /> P. tepidariorum is similar in body shape to widow spiders.<ref name="fix1" /> Males have a less bulbous abdomen than females.<ref name=":0" /> Common house spiders' size and coloration allow the spiders to blend into the background and escape notice.
Life cycle
This species can live for more than a year after reaching maturity. Females suspend their egg sacs in their webs; the spherical egg sacs have a tan papery outer layer.<ref name=":0" /> Females produce clutches containing mean of 149 eggs. Each egg measures about 0.59 mm in diameter and weighs around 0.12 mg.<ref name=":2" /> The spiderlings remain in the mother's web for several days after coming out of the egg sac.<ref name=fitch />
Diet and predation
Common house spiders usually feed on small insects and household pests. If the prey is too agile, the spider will try shooting web at it from a distance before pulling the thread toward itself. Bigger females can also attract baby skinks inside their web by leaving fly remains hanging in it. Once its food dries out, the spider usually drops it to the floor in order to free space in its web, instead of destroying and rebuilding it or changing its location.
Three spider species usually prey upon them: the pirate spiders of the genus Mimetus (Mimetidae), as well as two jumping spider species – Phidippus variegatus and Platycryptus undatus.<ref name=fitch /> The latter one often falls prey to its own food when it gets trapped in the tangling web after missing the jump on its target. Template:Multiple image
The assassin bug Stenolemus lanipes (Emesinae) apparently feeds exclusively on spiderlings of this species, but can also become prey of the adult spider.<ref name="fix2" />
Behavior
Interaction with other spiders
.jpg)
A male and female often share the same web for long periods, and several females often build their webs in close proximity. However, females will sometimes fight when they encounter each other.
Interaction with humans and predators
As these spiders live in constant proximity to humans, they are not usually aggressive and will even let a human hand approach their web. Common house spiders will bite humans only in self-defense, when grabbed and squeezed.Template:Citation needed The species' synanthropic habits, however, increase the risk of human bites.<ref name=":1" />
Common house spiders possess poor vision and cannot detect any movement more than three to four inches away. If cornered, they will feign death as last resort.Template:Cn
Toxicity
Common house spiders have neurotoxic venom.<ref name="fix3" /> However, their bites are less severe than that of other theridiids<ref name=":1" /> and are "not known to be dangerous to humans".<ref name="fix4" />
Subspecies
Subspecies include P. tepidariorum australis (common gray house spider).
See also
- House spider (listing other spiders known as "house spiders")