Rabbit hutch spider, Steatoda bipunctata
Rabbit hutch spider, Steatoda bipunctata (submitted by NaturePlus user passerby)
Up to 7mm long, this species has a shiny chestnut-brown abdomen with cream markings.
It favours indoor environments including animal hutches, garages and sheds where it will feed on crawling invertebrates, especially woodlice. It is widespread in west and central Europe and across Britain.
Steatoda bipunctata is one of 6 species of false widow spider found in the UK. They are called false widows because they look similar to the true black widow spiders, in the genus Latrodectus.
This is the most common and widespread Steatoda species. It is not one of the ones implicated in biting humans.
