Rabbit Hutch Spider

Special features: Steatoda bipunctata is one of the spiders commonly known as a false widow spider. It's also sometimes referred to as the Rabbit Hutch Spiders as they're often found inside rabbit hutches. They're usually chestnut coloured, although some specimens can be lighter in colour. Frequently there is a line of tiny cream coloured dots running around the midline of the abdomen.

The web consists of a mish-mash of short, irregularly placed silk strands.

When viewed from underneath this species has an unusual marking which looks like the 'Alpha' of the Greek alphabet.

Scientific name: Steatoda bipunctata

Size: Head and body up to 8mm long

Distribution: Found in many parts of England, but more abundant in the southern counties

Months seen: Females can be seen all year round. The males are normally seen from early summer to autumn

Habitat: Houses, sheds, out buildings including rabbit hutches

Food: Flies and other small insects