Black House Spider
Otherwise known as the window spider, the black house spider appears dark and strong. The thorax of the black house spider is lustrous black, while its legs and carapace range from black to dark brown. Their abdomens are coal gray in color and their backs exhibit a series of white V-shapes. Females of this species are commonly twice as large as males.
Black house spiders are known to weave lace webs. Frequently mistaken for funnel webs, black house spider webs appear like complex tunnels with more than one portal. These tunnels lead to a hollow, silken retreat for the black house spider. The web of the black house spider may eventually appear gray and tangled as a result of constant repair.
These arachnids spin their webs in dry, dark locations. They can be found in cracks in walls, rusting iron and the angles of windows, as well as many other sheltered crevices within a structure. Black house spiders may also inhabit the bark of unhealthy trees. The sap from these injured trees attracts prey for the black house spider. They prey upon various flies, butterflies, beetles and bees.
Although their bite is not lethal, humans may experience negative side effects from a black house spider bite. Vomiting, muscular pain, weakness, nausea, sweating and shortness of breath occur if a bite is severe. The bite itself is noticeably painful and commonly swells. However, black house spiders rarely attack humans; they bite only when threatened.