Mouse spider, Scotophaeus blackwalli
Body size
Female to 12mm; male to 10mm.
Appearance
'Mousey'. The grey-brown carapace and the grey, furry abdomen are low and flat (photo). The sexes are similar.
Habitat, range and season
A nocturnal wanderer on walls where it searches for insect prey. Europe, Asia, and N America. Adult females all year; males from spring to autumn.
Web
Generally, none.
First recorded in the UK
Possibly 1842.
Bite report
'Bitten on left hand. Looked like large pimple with pus-head surrounded by red inflammation. Wound burst and entire hand became septic. Wife also bitten: same painful wound for 7 days.'
