Size
NOTE: When measuring the size of a spider, only the body length is measured (do not include the legs).
Sizes vary depending on species, but the adults can range from 10 mm to 20 mm
Identification
These spiders are very difficult to identify as they are fairly non-descript, and resemble many other spiders in the local area (other funnel-web spiders (Agelenidae), smaller wolf spiders (Lycosidae); refer to "See Also" section). There are four species which are commonly found in United States and Canada. (Click on the species names to see the infomation page for that specific species.)
Tegenaria domestica - Commonly referred to as the "Lesser European House Spider".
Tegenaria agretis - Commonly referred to as the "Hobo Spider".
Tegenaria duellica - Commonly referred to to as the "Greater European House Spider".
Tegenaria pagana - No common name, similar to the T. domestica, established in some southern and western states. No confirmed ID's within bugguide.net.
Range
Well established throughout United States and Canada.
Habitat
Wooded areas, deserts, coastal areas, grassy fields, inside man-made structures.
Food
Most insects, but some species of Tegenaria have been obeserved feeding on other species of Tegenaria.
Remarks
Originating in Europe, this genus of spiders started to settling in the "New World" as settlers started trekking across the oceans in the hopes of a new life.
In comparing the ranges of the T. duellica and T. agrestis, T. duellica is more common in coastal locations and T. agrestis dominating the interior. Anecdotal evidence suggests that, where the two species are sympatric, T. duellica “out-competes” T. agrestis although the nature of their relationship is unclear. (Internet Link #2, See Internet Reference section below.)
The T. domestica is typically present in the same ranges as the other species, but is often "run off" as the other spiders compete for the same food sources, thus the T. domestica must find a different food supply.
Internet References
1)
The History of the Hobo Spider: A brief discussion of the various Tegenaria spp. found in the United States/Canada.
2)
Newsletter of the Entomological Society of British Columbia, Volume 22, Number 1 July 2002 (an article by Robb Bennett:
Hyperbole and hysteria on the path to enlightenment – a review of current tegenaria projects of relevance to canadian arachnologists)
