Biting spider or noble false widow spider, Steatoda nobilis
Biting spider or noble false widow spider, Steatoda nobilis (submitted by NaturePlus user Jenny47)
This false widow spider has a brown bulbous abdomen with pale markings. In comparison, true black widow spiders have black abdomens with a striking red marking. The females grow to 15mm, or 32mm including the legs.
This species came from the Canary and Madeiran Islands over 100 years ago. It has been established in Devon for a long time but in recent years has been spreading. It continues to colonise the south and east coast of England and is spreading north.
These spiders can now be spotted almost anywhere in the southern and midland counties. They usually make their webs a good height off the ground on external walls of houses and outbuildings.
As the UK’s most venomous spider, the bite of the false widow spider can be medically significant in humans, but usually without any long-lasting effects. But they only bite to defend themselves and are not aggressive.
Find out more about Steatoda nobilis in this species fact file
