Have you ever found yourself staring at a spiderweb, wondering if a friendly or not-so-friendly arachnid lives inside of it? If you’re reading this blog, the chances are you have. Spiders weave webs in all sorts of shapes, sizes and locations, and certain distinct web characteristics can help you get an idea of what species spun it. From the large tapestries left by Orb Weavers to the messy vein-patterned webs left by redback spiders, how a web looks can tell you a lot about what lives there.
Australia is home to a diverse range of spider species, each with its unique web-building techniques. While spiders can often be identified by their physical characteristics, their webs also offer crucial clues for accurate identification for those who don’t want to go around poking in the crevices spiders like to hide in while they’re not perched on their webs. At Cure All Pest Control, we understand the importance of distinguishing between these eight-legged residents, especially since some can pose health risks. Here’s a guide to identifying some common Australian spiders based on their webs.
Web Categories
Spiderwebs can sometimes seem like a disorganised mess of silk, however, there are several different formations of web that different species of spiders use to catch their favoured prey. Once you understand the basic shapes these webs come in, you can better understand the purpose of the web, which may bring you one step closer to identifying the spider.
Orb Webs: These are perhaps the most recognisable spider webs, identified by their circular, wheel-shaped design. Orb-weaver spiders create these webs to capture flying insects. When you think of intricate, round-shaped webs that are often used in Halloween decorations, they tend to be inspired by orb webs. The web is typically constructed with a spiral pattern of silk threads radiating out from a central hub. These webs are often found in gardens and forests.
Spiders that spin orb webs: The aptly named orb weaver spiders are the most common spider type that weave these intricate orb shaped webs.
Sheet Webs
Sheet webs are made by spiders that create a horizontal or slightly angled sheet-like structure. These webs can be quite delicate and are often found in dense vegetation or on the ground. The web’s flat shape makes it effective for catching insects that fly into or land on it.
Spiders that spin sheet webs: Money Spiders and other members of the Linyphiidae family.
Funnel Webs
You can identify a funnel web by visualising the web shape as a cone that leads to a central tunnel. This tunnel can go into the ground in the case of funnel web spiders, or can ascend upward to a hiding place which is often used by redback spiders.
The spider typically hides in the funnel-shaped retreat and waits for prey to walk into the web. The web itself may extend out from the funnel in a funnel-like or sheet-like shape. Low-lying funnel webs are often built in grassy areas or under rocks, while high-positioned ones are usually built in hidden spaces like under furniture, roof corners, behind bins or other isolated places.
Spiders that spin funnel webs: Funnel webs are most commonly spun in Australia by Sydney Funnel-web Spider (Atrax robustus) and Southern Tree Funnel-web Spider (Hadronyche cerberea). Redback spiders and the less dangerous Black House spider are also known to create funnel shaped webs, though not always.
Tangle Webs
Tangle webs are messy, unorganised webs without design. They tend to be spun by spiders that produce thinner webs. These webs are often found in houses, in undisturbed places like ceiling corners or under furniture.
Spiders the spin tangle webs: Comb-footed Spiders, Daddy long legs and Red and Black Spiders.
Gum foot Webs
Gum foot webs are specialised spider webs created by certain spiders, like those in the family Theridiidae, such as redback spiders. These webs feature sticky gum threads attached to the ground and connected to a more complex, non-sticky web structure above. The sticky threads trap prey that comes into contact with them, and the vibrations from a struggling prey item alert the spider, which then approaches to capture it.
Spiders that spin gumfoot webs: The Australian redback spider is the main type that waves gum foot webs.
What Types of Webs Do These Spiders Weave?
1. Daddy Longlegs (Pholcidae Family)
Web Type: Tangle webs. Daddy Longlegs spiders are known for their irregular, tangled webs that are often messy, irregular and have little resistance if you walk or run a hand through them. These webs are typically found in corners of rooms, under furniture, or in other undisturbed areas of the home. The web is made from fine, delicate silk threads that can appear quite sparse and disorganised.
2. Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasselti)
Web Type: Gum-foot web. Redback spiders construct small, irregular webs with a central retreat where the spider hides. Their webs are often found in sheltered areas such as under garden furniture, in sheds, or between rocks. The web is usually quite messy and can have a characteristic tangle of silk with a retreat in the centre. This retreat is so the spider inhabitant can rush down to wherever its prey has become stuck and administer a lethal dose of venom.
Identification Tip: Look for a small, untidy web with a dark, often blackish, retreat in the centre. The Redback spider itself is recognisable by its black body with a distinctive red stripe on its underside.
3. Orbweaver Spiders (Araneidae Family)
Web Type: Orbweavers are famous for their classic, wheel-shaped webs with a central hub and radiating spokes. These webs are often found in less reclusive areas and can be spotted out in relatively open areas. These webs are meticulously constructed, quite pretty and can be quite large. They are typically found in gardens, between plants, and on building exteriors.
Identification Tip: If you encounter a large, well-organised, circular web with a noticeable hub and radiating lines, it’s likely made by an Orbweaver. Look for the spider hanging in the middle of the web, often resting on the web or in a retreat nearby.
4. St Andrew’s Cross Spider (Argiope keyserlingi)
The famous St Andrew’s Cross Spider is a type of orb weaver that creates a similarly round shaped web, with one distinct feature, a thick cross shape in the centre. There are many theories why this spider makes such a pattern. One is that it deters predators by making the spider, who tends to wait in the centre of the web, appear larger than it is. The second is that the white silk reflects ultraviolet light, which attracts insects towards it like moths to a flame.
4. Grey House Spider (Badumna longinqua)
Web Type: Grey House Spiders build irregular, messy webs that are often found in sheltered indoor locations such as corners, behind furniture, or in dark, undisturbed areas. The web is typically a tangled mass of silk and can appear quite chaotic.
Identification Tip: If you find a dense, disordered web in a dark indoor area and notice a brown or grey spider with a robust body, it’s likely a Brown House Spider.
5. Funnel Web Spider (Atrax and Hadronyche Genera)
Web Type: Funnel Web Spiders create distinctive funnel-shaped webs. These webs have a tubular retreat that resembles a funnel, and the spider hides within the funnel, waiting to ambush prey. The web is typically found in outdoor areas such as gardens, under rocks, or in leaf litter.
Identification Tip: Look for a funnel-shaped web with a tubular retreat. The Funnel Web Spider is usually hidden in the funnel or lurking nearby, ready to pounce.
6. Golden Orb-Weaver (Nephila spp.)
Web Type: Golden Orb-Weavers build large, circular webs with a golden hue. These webs are typically expansive and found in gardens or wooded areas. The silk has a distinctive golden colour and is quite strong.
Identification Tip: A large, well-structured, golden-hued web with a spider often positioned in the centre is a clear sign of a Golden Orb-Weaver. The spider itself is usually quite large and colourful.
7. Black House Spider (Badumna insignia)
Web Type: Black House Spiders create messy, irregular webs that are often found in sheltered indoor locations. The webs are a chaotic tangle of threads and are commonly found in corners or hidden spaces.
Identification Tip: If you spot a disorganised web in a dark, sheltered area indoors, and you see a black or dark spider with a somewhat robust body, it’s likely a Black House Spider.
Identifying spiders by their webs can be a useful skill for managing potential pest issues and ensuring safety. By paying attention to the structure and location of the web, you can better understand which spider species might be residing in your home or garden. If you’re uncertain or dealing with a potentially dangerous spider, don’t hesitate to contact Cure All Pest Control for expert assistance.
Protect your home and garden with knowledge and the right support. For more tips and professional pest control services, reach out to us at Cure All Pest Control. Your safety and peace of mind are our top priorities!
