| Hobo spider | Hobo spider | The hobo spider (<i>Eratigena agrestis</i>, formerly <i>Tegenaria agrestis</i>) is one of the most commonly found funnel-web or funnel weaver spiders in some parts of Washington. This relatively large (1 – 1 3/4 inches including legs), swift-running spider builds its funnel-shaped web in dark, moist areas, often in basements, and waits at the mouth of the funnel for prey to become entangled in the web. The vibrations from the struggling prey alert the spider, which dashes out to bite the prey. The hobo spider has been improperly identified as a dangerous spider but recent research has not shown it to be harmful to humans. If you are bitten by a spider, bring the spider to an expert for correct identification and you may want to seek medical attention. Spiders are considered beneficial since they are predators, but they are often a nuisance pest indoors. NOTE: The giant house spider is another spider that is commonly found in homes in Washington. The giant house spider looks similar to the hobo spider and is often misidentified as such. See WSU PLS 116 "How to identify (or misidentify) the hobo spider" at http://puyallup.wsu.edu/plantclinic/pls/ and EB 1548 "Spiders" at http://pubs.wsu.edu for further description. For information on giant house spiders, see Giant house spider in the Curiosity/Beneficial section of this website. |
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