NOBLE FALSE WIDOW |
STEATODA NOBILIS |
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| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Males reach up to 11.5mm in length, females can be up to 13.5mm in length. The large size and colouration help distinguish this attractive spider from near relatibes with both sexes having a bulbous brown abdomen with variable creamy markings that can take on the appearance of a skull. The legs are reddish orange. BEHAVIOUR: These hefty spiders feed on both invertebrates and small vertebrates using an 'attack wrap' strategy. HABITAT: Found both indoors and in many outdoor habitats including in and around concrete structures, on telegraph poles and within shrubbery. DISTRIBUTION: Well distributed through southern England with a slow expansion towards the north. PERIOD: Can be seen all year round, especially within buildings during the colder months. |