Lace Webbed Spider
The Lace Webbed Spider is a name given to two species of house spiders of the genus Amaurobius (A. similis and A. fenestralis). These spiders are often found near windows, on outside walls, or on trees.
Lace Webbed Spiders vary in size from 0.27 to 0.47 inches in length. They have large, strong legs. Both species are similar, and the young are virtually indistinguishable. A. similis is generally larger and darker in color at adulthood. They also prefer the indoors. A. fenestralis is rarely found inside and is smaller and lighter colored. Both species have V-shaped markings on their abdomens, with A. fenestralis having two or three of these, and A. similis usually having four.
This spider is nocturnal. Its bluish silk, which is woven into a funnel, is combed into a frayed texture. It does this using a row of stiff hairs that are on the rear legs. Almost like Velcro, the barbed hooks of insects get caught in the furry web, allowing prey larger than the spider itself to be caught. This arachnid lays about 40 eggs in a breeding chamber made from its silk. The mother protects the eggs until hatching. When the young are born, they will consume their egg yolk, and then devour their mother before emerging from the chamber.
