Grey house spider

Fact Box Species: Achaearanea tepidariorum (QM) or a related species Family: Theridiidae Body length: female: 7 mm male: 3 mm Habitat: This species attaches a thin, tangled web similar to that of the red back spider to any convenient supporting structure, the web normally making contact with the ground or floor Toxicity: Uncertain; may cause a painful bite in humans (see note below)

The female Male and female The web Spiderlings

While this species may establish in garden shrubs, it has a fondness for the undersides of outdoor furniture and other open containers. Its general shape resembles that of a redback spider but its colour scheme is very different.

Note that Isbister and Gray (Journal of toxicology; Clinical toxicology, 2003, Vol. 41, pages 809-819) have recorded that bites by Achaeaeanea species in Australia can cause moderate to severe local pain though probably no systemic effects.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Latrodectus hasseltii and Achaearanea veruculata.