Bug Identifier
Noble False Widow
Community identification

Noble False Widow

Steatoda nobilis

Order & Family
Araneae: Theridiidae
Size
Females reach 9.5-14 mm in body length; males are smaller at 7-11 mm.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Urban areas, inside buildings, gardens, and on external walls; typically found in temperate climates.

Diet & Feeding

Insects and other spiders caught in their messy, scaffold-like cobwebs.

Behavior Patterns

Primarily nocturnal; they build silk retreats in cracks or corners. They are relatively sedentary and non-aggressive, often dropping to the ground when disturbed.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pest populations. Their bite is painful (similar to a wasp sting) and may cause localized swelling, but it is not considered medically significant for most humans.