Fauna
Arachnid · GBIF taxon 7403210

Giant House Spider

Eratigena duellica

Also known as European Giant House Spider

Giant house spiders are famous for their remarkable speed, darting across floors and walls to retreat into dense sheet webs with funnel-shaped hiding spots. Dark brown with earthy yellow markings on their cephalothorax and abdomen, these nocturnal arachnids excel at controlling household insect populations. Males wander extensively during late summer and autumn searching for sedentary females, often surprising homeowners in sinks and bathtubs.

NocturnalFunnel WeaverFast Runner
Giant House Spider reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Joseph Rojas, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Flies
  • Moths
  • Silverfish
Predators
  • Cellar Spiders
  • Birds
  • Cats
ThreatsPesticide use, habitat disruption, competition from other spiders
HabitatsHuman dwellings, basements, sheds, rock crevices, caves
Life span2–3 years
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyAgelenidae
  3. GenusEratigena
  4. SpeciesEratigena duellica
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
Harmless to humans; observe safely and avoid handling directly.
Responsible observation
  • Cup and Card Relocation: If found indoors, place a glass over the spider and slide a stiff piece of card underneath to move it outside safely.
  • Check Sinks and Tubs: Look in slippery basins during autumn mornings, where wandering males often become trapped overnight.
  • Observe Web Entrances: Shine a small flashlight near dark corners to spot their silk funnel retreats without disturbing them.
Related species
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