Heteropoda venatoria

(Linnaeus, 1767)

Pantropical Huntsman Spider, Giant Crab Spider, Cane Spider, African Huntsman Spider, Giant Mombasa Spider

A large huntsman spider (Sparassidae) native to tropical regions worldwide and introduced to subtropical areas. have flat, brown bodies 2.2–2.8 cm long with leg spans of 7–10 cm. Females carry sacs of 100–400+ eggs in their . Males produce audible abdominal vibrations during courtship. Not medically significant despite size, but delivers painful bite. Efficient of pest insects, often found in human structures.

Heteropoda venatoria by (c) Samuele Papeschi, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Samuele Papeschi. Used under a CC-BY license.

Heteropoda venatoria by (c) Reynante Martinez, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Reynante Martinez. Used under a CC-BY license.

2021-7-11-臺中-玉銀ATM-剌犽(雌體) by My022822. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Heteropoda venatoria: //ˌhɛtərəˈpoʊdə vɛˌnəˈtɔːriə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar huntsman spiders by cream or yellowish (white "moustache") just in front of . behind eyes has wide band: tan in females, cream in males. Body not very hairy, but legs have erectile setae each marked with black dot. Male has longer legs and larger tips than female; female slightly larger in . Laterigrade (twisted, horizontally-oriented) legs allow flat body to enter narrow crevices.

Images

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical regions; commonly found in houses, barns, sheds, and other structures, especially where cold temperatures occur seasonally. Sensitive to cold; outdoors only in warmer climates. In Bermuda and similar areas, occurs almost exclusively indoors.

Distribution

Native to tropical regions worldwide; introduced to subtropical areas including southern Japan (northern boundary at 36°–38°N), parts of North America, and Pacific islands. Recorded from Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Frequently transported in international cargo, especially bananas.

Diet

Active hunter that captures prey directly without web construction. Preys on insects including butterflies and moths (e.g., Deilephila elpenor), , and flies. Has been observed preying on scorpions and bats.

Life Cycle

Females construct sacs up to ~2.5 cm wide, carrying them with under body. Egg sacs contain 100–400+ eggs. Spiderlings undergo first while still in sac. Under laboratory conditions: male lifespan averaged 465 days, female 580 days.

Behavior

hunter that emerges at night; hides by day in cracks and crevices. Male courtship involves abdominal vibration while feet remain planted, producing faint audible buzz or hum. Does not build webs for prey capture. Nomadic lifestyle except when female settles to lay .

Ecological Role

Considered useful natural enemy of pest insects in households and agricultural settings, particularly in banana agro-. Helps control and fly .

Human Relevance

Frequently encountered in human dwellings; often mistaken for medically significant spiders due to size. Bite is painful but not dangerous. Commonly transported in banana shipments and other tropical cargo, leading to occasional misidentification and unwarranted concern. In some tropical areas, welcomed as pest control agent.

Similar Taxa

Olios giganteusAlso a large Sparassidae with similar size and , but O. giganteus is native to southwestern North America and lacks the distinctive cream/yellowish marking of H. venatoria.
Cupiennius chiapanensisRedfaced banana spider (Ctenidae) frequently confused in cargo; distinguished by bright red setae on basal rather than pale marking.