It may surprise you to know that there are species of spiders that share the same common name but have completely different anatomy, venom, and lives! There are so many of these spiders that this blog will be divided into several parts. This first one will focus on the differences amongst a few funnel web and funnel weaver spiders!
Important message!
No matter how venomous a spider may be, there is never a situation where a spider is actively looking to harm you. The only reason they would bite you would be if they feel threatened. Overall, spiders are very important to the environment, they are what is known as a keystone species. This means that their presence greatly impacts their ecosystem. In spiders' case, they keep the populations of many overproducing insects down, such as mosquitos. Without the spiders there to eat these insects, the population of the insects would grow out of control, throwing the ecosystem off balance. So the next time you find a spider in your house, consider moving it outside rather than killing it. Of course, still use caution when handling spiders, especially if you do not know how venomous they are, and if it is a particularly venomous spider, call the appropriate person to remove it for you.
Sydney Funnel Web
There are several different kinds of funnel web spider, with the most infamous being the Sydney funnel web found in Australia. This spider is often referred to as the deadliest spider in the world, and this is because of the spider's extremely potent venom. The venom that the Sydney funnel web carries is known as delta hetatoxin or delta atracotoxin. This type of venom affects the nervous system and can cause a variety of serious symptoms including coma or death in extreme cases, however, there have been no recorded deaths since the introduction of the antivenin in 1981. Appearance wise, this spider is typically 1.5 - 5cm, with a bald cephalothorax, and hair on the legs and abdomen. This spider is also unique in that the male, though smaller, is more venomous than the female. The Sydney funnel web is commonly found in gardens, especially after rain, and they occasionally wander into homes. They live in burrows lined with their silk typically under logs or in tree stumps. It is very important to wear gloves and proper shoes when gardening near their environment as these spiders, unlike the black widow, red back, and a majority of tarantulas, do not give warning bites(a bite where they don't use venom). If a Sydney funnel web bites, it is with full venom, and if you suspect you have been bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
Barn Funnel Weaver
The barn funnel weaver, also known as the grass spider, found in the USA, is extremely different from the Sydney funnel web, with the most notable difference being in their venom. The type of venom that grass spiders carry is called agatoxins which paralyzes small insects, however, the fangs of a grass spider are so small that they typically cannot puncture human skin. A bite may result in mild irritation and swelling, but that's about it. These spiders range from 9 - 20mm and are covered in small hairs. They are quite fast, which may startle people, however, they are also incredibly shy and do not like to interact with humans. They create sheet webs with funnels for them to hide in and wait for prey. They, like the Sydney funnel web, are also common garden spiders, but do not panic if you come across one. They can be extremely helpful to your garden's ecosystem, so it is best to just leave them be.
Hobo Spider
The hobo spider also lives in the USA and is most commonly found in Utah during the fall and late summer. Contrary to popular belief, these spiders are also quite harmless to humans and do not produce necrotic (flesh-eating) bites. The most that could happen is intense itching and mild swelling. The hobo spider is often mis-identified as it looks incredibly similar to many other species of spider, including the previously mentioned grass spider. The hobo spider also cannot climb smooth surfaces, so when they enter homes, they are typically found on the ground or stuck in bathtubs. They range from about 7 - 16.5mm and can reach speeds of 2.23mph, which is quite speedy for a spider.
Conclusion
These are the funnel webs and weavers with some of the most notable differences! Spiders are such a wonderfully diverse species, it is important that we dive deeper into what we should really be cautious with versus what we can just allow ourselves to appreciate without fear. Even the creatures that require caution deserve to be appreciated! Remember, spiders are not out to get you, so let's treat them the same. I hope you've learned to appreciate these wonderful critters just a little more. Stay curious!
Sydney Funnel-web Spider (Atrax robustus) male from Wahroonga. Image: Ramon Mascord, Australian Museum
Tegenaria domestica male. Photo by Steven Jacobs, Penn State Extension
Adult male hobo spider, Lynette Elliott, bugguide.net
Comments
This is super cool! I will definitely be more mindful of spiders since they keep the population of certain insects down. Can't wait for more!
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