help identifying black/dark red spider

[SEM]

Hi, there could you help me identify this spider. It was about the size of a 2p coin and It was living under a wardrobe until I moved it (the wardrobe). It didn't move very fast at all which is why I had the courage to trap it and move it outside in hindsight I should have kept it until I knew what it was. Anyway here she(?) is:



My guess is a rabbit hitch spider, was a beautiful little thing.

Oh this was in Swansea.

kind regards, and sorry for the low quality picture

EDIT: The wardrobe it was under was right next to where there used to be a cats litter tray and food could this be what attracted it? This was on the third floor of my house so I am surprised to see just one make it up this far should I worry that there could be more in the house?

[SEM]

Or is it a Steatoda grossa? I'm confused and concerned I think spiders are beautiful but I don't like sharing my house with them especially when they have a nasty bite. Also would this spider pose a threat to a small cat if bitten?

[John_M]

I'd say you have a female Steatoda bipunctata there. Not uncommon around houses; I wouldn't be concerned about it though; while it is possible for them to bite, it's really not a common occurence. I have these around the place and I have 2 kids, 4 cats, a dog and 2 rabbits (The rabbits share a hutch with at least one S. bipunctata) and there are no problems.

[No.9 Spider]

From the legs, abdomen shape and overall appearance I personally favour Steatoda grossa for this one.


............welcome to WAB

[MattPrince]

S. grossa is very common in houses - its very rare to get bitten by one though, and most people live happily with them unaware of their identity.

s. bipunctata is a little bit more outdoorsy, but it could have wandered in, perhaps hunting inverts attracted to the litter tray.

I've had what I'm sure is s.nobilis in my house, she might be swift and merciless to flies and the like, but otherwise she is typically slow and docile.

Personally I wouldn't worry over much about any of them, as the risk of being bitten very small. They are also taking a toll on other house invertebrates (flies, mosquitoes, other spiders). However they are fairly easy to capture in a pot and relocate if you are concerned.

Cheers,
Matt

[faz]

hi SEM welcome to WAB for its Steatoda grossaThe abdomen is a red-brown colour pale triangular spots along the top. These markings vary from spider to spider. Sometimes they're cream coloured and sometimes they're purple or very dark brown.