Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2141593
Amaurobius ferox
amaurobius feroxAlso known as Black Lace Weaver, Black Lace-Weaver Spider
Black lace-weavers construct fine, bluish woolly silk retreats inside dark masonry gaps, under loose bark, and in damp cellars. Females exhibit remarkable maternal care, guarding their egg sacs before eventually sacrificing their own bodies as the first meal for their emerging spiderlings. Active mainly at night, these robust spiders emerge from their funnel-like retreats to ambush crawling invertebrates.
NocturnalWeb-BuildingSubsocial
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Woodlice
- Beetles
- Earwigs
Predators
- Centipedes
- Spitting spiders
- Insectivorous birds
ThreatsPesticide application and structural repairs of masonry gaps
HabitatsDark crevices, stone walls, damp cellars, and under rotting logs
Life span1 to 2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAraneae
- FamilyAmaurobiidae
- GenusAmaurobius
- Speciesamaurobius ferox
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May bite if trapped against skin; observe from a respectful distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses strong fangs capable of breaking human skin, causing localized pain and minor swelling similar to a wasp sting.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Dark reddish-brown to shiny black spider up to 16 mm long with pale abdominal markings.
- What to do
- Avoid bare-hand contact; capture using a cup and rigid card if removal is necessary.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Search dark stone crevices and damp foundations at night using a soft flashlight.
- Web identification: Look for sticky, bluish-white cribellate silk radiating from a central silk tube.
- Safe relocation: Use a glass jar and card to move specimens found indoors back outside.
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.