She's not exactly one of the most popular residents. The animal lives in secret and rarely shows itself. Wherever she appears, fear and disgust spread. But those who deal more intensively with the way of life of the large angle spider will be amazed.

Despite its size, the Great Angle Spider is not dangerous

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Dangerous and toxic?
  3. To use
  4. Evict and keep away
  5. Characteristics
  6. Look
  7. confusion
  8. lifestyle and behavior
  9. reproduction and development
  10. distribution and habitat
  11. food
  12. Keep as a pet
  13. frequently asked Questions

    14. the essentials in brief

    • Angle spiders are harmless spiders that are not aggressive; however, on rare occasions, they can bite
    • Angle spiders are very useful because they eat flies, mosquitoes and woodlice
    • Lavender bags, fly screens or essential oils such as neem, lavender and tea tree oil, citrus fruits, peppermint or cinnamon can be used to prevent large angle spiders from entering the house

    Dangerous and toxic?

    Eratigena atrica is one of the completely harmless species that do not show any aggressive behavior towards humans. If they are disturbed in their living caves, they leave them and flee. In the event of major disturbances, the animals give up their previous nest and go in search of an alternative hiding place.

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    Do angle spiders bite?

    It occasionally happens that people are bitten by the Great Angle Spider. However, this behavior is the big exception, because even scientists need a lot of patience to get the animals to bite. Their mouthparts can only penetrate thin layers of skin, which is why a bite is noticeable but harmless. In the worst case, the poison leads to slight reddening, burning and itching. The symptoms will disappear automatically in one to two hours. A mosquito bite is much more unpleasant.

    Don't be afraid of the Large Angle Spider! The animals are completely harmless and tend to flee rather than bite people.

    What are the uses of angle spiders?

    The animals have an important function in the ecosystem because they keep the population of small insects in check. On their menu are numerous pests of humans such as woodlice, flies or mosquitoes. In this way, they keep houses and apartments clean.

    Their appearance does not indicate unhygienic conditions, because the angle spider prefers warm and dry habitats and avoids damp basements or bathrooms. At the same time, angle spiders provide an important food source for larger insectivores. They are preyed upon by various birds and bats.

    Evict and keep away

    The easiest way to keep the spiders out is by using window screens. If you make sure that all gaps under entrance doors and windows are sealed, access for the animals will be made considerably more difficult. However, if angle spiders have strayed into your home, simple measures can help.

    tips

    Refrain from sucking up the spiders. In the vacuum cleaner bag, the animals suffer an agonizing death from suffocation.

    Essential Oils

    Angle spiders abhor intense smells. With aroma lamps, you can effectively scare the animals away so that they look for a new hiding place. You can make a solution with ten drops of oil, a dash of washing-up liquid and 450 milliliters of water, which you apply as a repellent at entry points. As a result, the spiders cannot gain access to your home.

    Alternatively, you can also distribute lavender sachets on doors and windows. If you have cats, you should refrain from this measure. House tigers are sensitive to essential oils.

    Suitable substances:

    • Neem, lavender and tea tree oil
    • citrus fruits
    • peppermint or cinnamon

    Glass

    The easiest way to remove it is with a tall glass. Put this over the spider. The escape reflex is triggered by slight movements, so that the animal jumps away from the ground. With one quick movement you caught the spider in the jar. She is unable to climb out of the smooth walls and can then be released outdoors.

    Spiders are easy to catch with a jar

    tips

    Put the spider far away from the house so that it doesn't find its way back. A pile of wood is perfect because the animal can find alternative retreats here.

    Characteristics

    The giant house spider is one of the species of the genus of angle spiders native to Central Europe. It has the scientific name Eratigena atrica but is sometimes referred to as Tegenaria atrica. This species is the largest spider found in homes in this country. Their frequency is influenced by weather conditions. The species prefers warm temperatures.

    Large angle spider - system:

    • arthropod: belongs to the skinning animals
    • Real web spider: hunts with nets
    • funnel spider: builds dwelling caves

    "house spider"

    Not only the large angle spider is called a house spider. Some other species of the genera Eratigena and Tegenaria also bear this nickname, since they prefer to be found in sheds and barns, but also in houses and apartments.

    scientific distribution particularities
    house angle spider Tegenaria domestica temperate latitudes indistinctly curled legs
    wall angle spider Tegenaria parietina Southern Europe Span up to 14 cm
    Rusty Angle Spider Tegenaria ferruginea occasionally in Central Europe Abdomen jagged rusty red

    Look

    The spider reaches a body size between ten and 20 millimeters. Females and males can only be distinguished by their size with legs. The wingspan can be up to ten centimeters. The larger females resemble the male animals in basic color and markings.

    coloring

    This is predominantly dark brown, with a light brown drawing in the form of a club being recognizable on the breastplate. The narrow end of the club runs out to the abdomen. Three light brown spots can be seen on either side of this drawing. These converge in a radial pattern and become smaller towards the front and back. A narrow, light central stripe can be seen on the rear body segment. Six angle-shaped spots are pronounced on the side of this drawing, which is why the species are called angle spiders. These patches partially merge with the central stripe.

    anatomy

    Anal opening and spinnerets are located on the underside of the abdomen. The breathing gap and genital opening are a little further forward. The legs are light brown in color and covered with dense bristles and fine hairs. In the large angle spider, the front pair of legs is longest, while the legs get shorter towards the back. The legs of females are twice as long, and males are three times as long.

    digression

    Good runners but bad climbers

    With this specially trained runner, angle spiders can reach impressive speeds. They can cover a distance of 50 centimeters per second. However, they do not keep up this pace for long. The movements are generated hydraulically by the forebody generating pressure. This stretches the legs. The locomotor system is not suitable for climbing because, unlike many other spiders, the hairs hardly generate any adhesive forces. This turns smooth surfaces into insurmountable obstacles.

    The Great Angle Spider is amazingly fast

    senses

    The bristles and hair are the spiders' most important sensory organs. They can use them to perceive even the slightest vibration or low-frequency sound. The large angle spider has eight eyes of the same size, which are arranged in two superimposed rows and are directed forwards. However, their sense of sight is not well developed and is limited to the perception of light and dark contrasts. The individual eyes contain fewer than 400 photoreceptor cells.

    confusion

    The large corner spider can easily be confused with other species from the same genus. A good distinguishing feature is the bristly and finely hairy hair, because other Eratigena species often have ringed or spotted legs. In order to clearly identify the species, researchers examine the markings on the chest, sexual organs and the internal structure of certain head extremities, the so-called pedipalps or jaw palps.

    These angle spiders have unicolored legs:

    • Large angle spider (Eratigena atrica)
    • the somewhat smaller Eratigena picta
    • the darker field angle spider (Eratigena agrestis)

    lifestyle and behavior

    The species is nocturnal and mainly builds its web in less disturbed areas of the house. The net is designed in the shape of a funnel, the opening of which tapers towards the end. The spider stays in this den and waits for prey. Trapping threads go out from the net in all directions, in which passing insects get caught.

    Dwellings are abandoned when they are destroyed or the food supply in the area becomes scarce. In some cases, abandoned nests are populated again and in rare cases the spiders conquer funnel webs that are already inhabited. Above all, the superior females drive away or kill the smaller males in order to take over their den.

    reproduction and development

    In late summer, the males go on forays to track down females who are ready to mate. The males can be recognized at this time by their significantly enlarged pedipalps. Depending on the weather, the mating season can also be postponed to autumn. Low temperatures severely limit mating activity.

    courtship

    Males will slowly approach a female, drawing attention to themselves by movements of their front pairs of legs and jaw palps. Extreme caution is required here, because if the female is not willing to mate, she will kill the male. It can take several hours to complete mating. This is repeatedly interrupted by peaceful breaks.

    This is how communicative the mating behavior is:

    • The male taps and plucks the female's web continuously
    • if successful, females lapse into mating rigidity
    • The male can then copulate

    eggs

    A month after the successful mating, the female produces a white cocoon of fine spider silk that contains the eggs. It weaves the dwelling cave shut in order to fasten the egg cocoon to web ribbons arranged in a star shape. A cocoon can contain between 50 and 130 large eggs. After the chicks hatch, they spend the next few months in the shelter of the nest. They only leave the web next spring.

    molting

    Until the angle spiders have reached their full size, they molt several times. Shortly before molting, the animals turn dark to almost black. Eventually the breastplate ruptures and the spider wriggles out of the old skin covering, which has now become too tight. In the course of moulting, the outer skin is renewed and the spiders gradually become larger. If she has shed her old skin, the body is extremely soft and has to harden again. During this time, the animal rests in its hiding place.

    Skin change in a nutshell:

    • Skin consists of two layers of chitin
    • before moulting, the inner layer forms anew
    • then the outer shell breaks
    • new skin is formed by secretions

    life and dangers

    Not all hatchlings survive the winter. Numerous animals fall victim to cold or too humid weather in combination with the spread of fungi. Others are bitten by hatchlings and eaten by their later hatching larvae.

    The animals that have survived the winter grow into adult angle spiders within two months. These usually reach an age of two to three years. In rare cases and under very favorable conditions, life expectancy is up to six years. One of the most dangerous enemies of adult animals is the electric spider. She has developed a special catching technique with which she can capture much larger spiders.

    The large angle spider can live up to three years

    distribution and habitat

    The range of the species extends across Europe. It occurs in Central Asia and North Africa and was introduced to North America. Here, too, the species was able to establish itself quickly, as it finds optimal hiding places with dry and protected conditions in houses and apartments. The large angle spider occurs at altitudes of up to 800 meters.

    Preferred habitats

    In nature, the species lives in dry and warm burrows located near the ground. It uses tree cavities at low altitudes, mainly in old deciduous forests, but is also found in tunnels and buildings. Wine-growing regions offer optimal conditions. Here the spider inhabits burrows under hedges and bushes as well as ruderal sites. Damp habitats and habitats at higher altitudes are avoided.

    in the house

    When it gets colder outside, angle spiders look for a warm and sheltered hiding place. This drives the animals into human dwellings, especially in autumn. When they lay their egg cocoons in dark and sheltered corners and young animals hatch, the impression of a sudden spider invasion quickly arises.

    Angle spiders in human dwellings:

    • dry basements
    • in apartments behind cupboards
    • barns and sheds

    food

    The Large Angle Spider does not produce threads of glue. She is one of those ambush hunters who charge when the net is shaken and seize their prey with lightning speed. This is killed with one bite, with digestive enzymes and proteins being injected into the organisms. As a result, the prey is decomposed internally and the spider can suck up the liquid pulp with its jaw claws. The food is not eaten in the burrow but outside the nest. Their diet consists mainly of insects and isopods.

    Keep as a pet

    The large angle spider is well suited for keeping in the terrarium because it requires little maintenance and is quiet. Spider lovers will enjoy the delicate webs of angle spiders. They can even help overcome the fear of spiders. However, refrain from capturing animals from nature. They feel more comfortable in their natural environment. Female animals are better suited for keeping because males live shorter lives and do not rest in the terrarium.

    You must pay attention to this

    Any container made of glass or plastic is suitable as a breeding container. The Large Angle Spider does not require much space. The larger the container, the more nests it builds. This does not necessarily have to be covered. However, the spider can climb up the walls and escape from even the smallest dirt. There are special fauna boxes or cube terrariums that offer the animals optimal living conditions. Square vessels are better suited than round glasses because the spiders can attach their webs well in corners.

    For a successful breeding:

    • Equip the floor with sand, wood and stones
    • spray water into the funnel net every two days
    • any insect or house cricket is suitable for feeding

    frequently asked Questions

    What does the Great Angle Spider eat?

    On the menu of this species are various insects that move crawling or flying. If a prey comes across the threads, the spider is alerted. She emerges from hiding and catches prey with her powerful jawed claws. One bite kills annoying mosquitoes, flies or isopods. The spider injects a digestive secretion into the organism so that it is pre-digested from the inside. She only has to suck up the liquid mush.

    How Many Insects Do Spiders Eat?

    The number of insects eaten by spiders is impressive. All the spiders in the world combined eat between 400 and 800 million tons of insects and small animals each year. This sum even exceeds the consumption of meat and fish caused by the world population every year. Taken together, people eat about 400 million tons a year.

    Is the Great Angle Spider Dangerous?

    There are reports that people have been bitten by the animal. However, the bite is harmless to humans. Redness and itching subside after a short time. It is very rare for spiders to bite, and their mouthparts have difficulty penetrating human skin. Usually they flee from danger and look for an alternative hiding place instead of attacking.

    Where does the Great Angle Spider live?

    The species is distributed throughout Europe. In nature, the spider lives near the ground. It relies on dark and sheltered burrows, avoiding wet habitats. Since there are optimal hiding places in the vicinity of people, the large angle spider is often found in apartments.In the fall, she goes in search of a suitable retreat, because cold temperatures are suboptimal.

    How old does the big angle spider get?

    The life expectancy of spiders depends not only on weather conditions but also on enemies. Many juveniles do not survive the first winter. They fall victim to cold temperatures and die when fungus spreads in hiding places that are too damp. Once the young have survived the winter, they can live for two to three years. They rarely have a life expectancy of six years.

    What enemies does the Great Angle Spider have?

    Ichneumon wasps are among the natural enemies that can also appear in the home.(22.99€) The insects lay their eggs in the young spiders. When the larvae hatch, they eat the animals from the inside. Humans are also among the greatest enemies of the large angle spider. Anxious people use a vacuum cleaner or slippers to get rid of the spider. However, it is better to catch the animal with a glass and take it outside.

Category:

Animals in the garden