Quick Facts

Scientific name:  Steatoda paykulliana

Size:  Up to 15mm

Distribution:  So far confined to areas around Plymouth and Tilbury Docks in Essex.  Native to southern Europe, north Africa and west Asia

Months seen:  All year round

Habitat:  Hides in cracks in the ground and under stones

Food:  Small invertebrates

Special features:  This is a relative newcomer to the UK.  It is often accidentally imported with produce from the Mediterranean, especially grapes, but so far it only seems to be established in locations close to Tilbury Docks, Essex.

As with all the other "False" Widows, it lacks the red hourglass marking found on a real Black Widow.  It can be recognised by the stripes on the abdomen which may be red, yellow, orange or white.

Related Pages

• Is This a Deadly Spider?
• Spider Identification
• Identify other wildlife
• Free Newsletter