Brown Widow Spider

Structure, Appearance and Characteristics

■    Webbing Spider.
■    Member of the same group of spiders that contain the Redback spider
■    Toxin approx. one tenth of the strength of the Redback spider
■    Similar shape to Redback spider and sometimes slightly bigger.
■    No stripe or colour down the back.
■    Head, body and legs vary in colour from fawn to black. In most specimens there are some lighter coloured markings along the side of the body. Hour glass shaped mark on the underside of the body – usually yellow.
■    Egg sac is unusual, it is the size and shape of a pea, looking like an old World War II marine mine.
■    Can produce up to 5000 young per season.
■    Non-aggressive. Habitat Similar to Redback Spiders.

More abundant in warm, dry areas. Occur under or amongst stones, logs, mallee roots, loose bark, in hollow logs, occasionally amongst foliage but always with some pare of the web in contact with the ground. Frequently around habitations in boxes, tins, farm machinery, sheds, outdoor toilets, around window sills and crevices in bricks. Web consists of a conical retreat funnel, and several tough strands to the ‘snare’, which is an irregular tangle having vertical threads in contact with the ground. Pest Status Webs can be unsightly on structures. Bites are very painful and can cause illness.