Rabbit Hutch Spider - Steatoda bipunctata

It has a glossy chestnut brown abdomen, usually with a thin pale band stretching across the front that incorporates a central white 'V' just behind the head. The abdomen has four tiny indentations on its back which in the absence of an internal skeleton, serve as anchor points for internal muscles. Females grow up to 7mm and males to about 5 mm.

Markings are variable and this species can only be separated from Steatoda grossa by close examination of the genitals.

Details of the genitalia needed for confirmation.

Usually indoors, often in animal pens, garages, sheds etc.

Females are to be found all year round. Males are usually only found in summer and autumn.

It feeds on anything that stumbles into its web (often woodlice). The web is just a tangle of criss-cross threads.

Common and widespread in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

2252 British records to Jan 2013