Badumna

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Badumna: //bəˈdʌmnə//

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Summary

Badumna longinqua, or grey house spider, is a web-building species native to Australia and widespread in introduced regions, known for its distinct coloration and web structure, primarily residing in urban environments.

Physical Characteristics

Average-sized spider; males reach 11 mm, females 15 mm. Light grey hairy cephalothorax and abdomen with spot-like markings. Purplish-brown legs with striped hairs.

Identification Tips

Look for a greyish coloration with distinct patterns and a ladder-like web structure in urban areas.

Habitat

Prefers temperate zones; commonly found in urban habitats, grasslands, and plantations.

Distribution

Native to eastern Australia; introduced in New Zealand, Japan, the United States, Mexico, Uruguay, and the Netherlands; widespread in both North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Diet

Insects such as small psyllids, ants, moths, wasps, bees, bumblebees, and cicadas; primarily feeds on flies.

Life Cycle

Males leave their webs to seek females during warmer months; female may live her entire life in one web.

Reproduction

Males seek females during summer to autumn; details of courtship not formally studied.

Predators

Hunting spiders (Lampona spp.), cellar spiders (Pholcus phalangioides), various birds, and some mammals.

Ecosystem Role

As a web-building spider, contributes to controlling insect populations.

Similar Taxa

• Badumna insignis

Misconceptions

Despite its common presence, rarely seen due to nocturnal behavior and hiding during the day.

Tags

• spider
• Badumna
• grey house spider
• arachnid