Fauna
Arachnid

Black Laceweaver

Amaurobius ferox

Also known as Black Lace-weaver, Lace Webbed Spider, Black Amaurobiid Spider

Black laceweavers construct woolly, bluish silk retreats under rotting logs, stone foundations, and in dark basements. Females demonstrate extreme maternal care, luring spiderlings to consume unfertilized eggs before ultimately allowing the young to consume her body in a process called matriphagy. Mature males wander actively in autumn searching for females, often bringing them into human habitations.

NocturnalSubsocialSilk Weaver
Black Laceweaver reference1 / 7
(c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Even Dankowicz · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyWoodlice, Beetles, Flies
Predators
  • Centipedes
  • Ground beetles
  • Birds
ThreatsHabitat disruption and indoor pesticide application
HabitatsWoodlands, dark cellars, stone walls, beneath logs, and bark crevices
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyAmaurobiidae
  3. GenusAmaurobius
  4. SpeciesAmaurobius ferox
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Capable of a painful defensive bite if cornered; capture gently in a container if relocating.
Why it is dangerous
Delivers a painful bite with localized swelling and irritation when squeezed, handled directly, or pressed against skin.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a stocky, dark brown to black spider with a pale, lace-like mark on its broad abdomen.
What to do
Transfer indoor wanderers using a glass cup and card rather than handling directly.
Responsible observation
  • Finding Retreats: Look along old stone walls, foundations, and wood piles at night using a soft flashlight.
  • Relocating Indoors: Scoop wandering spiders into a cup with a sheet of card to move them outside safely.
Related species
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