
Community identification
Common house spider (likely)
Parasteatoda tepidariorum
- Order & Family
- Araneae, Theridiidae
- Size
- Females are typically about 5–8 mm in body length; males are smaller.
Natural Habitat
Common around buildings, sheds, and sheltered vegetation; spins irregular cobwebs in quiet corners.
Diet & Feeding
Catches flies and other small arthropods in its sticky web, then injects digestive fluids and feeds on the prey.
Behavior Patterns
A cobweb spider that hangs inverted in its web and may wrap captured prey in silk. The image shows one feeding on a fly.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to people and useful for controlling nuisance insects; bites are rare and usually mild.