Bug Identifier
Common house spider (likely)
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.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.