A sheet of silk
A sheet web leads into a tubular retreat. Its construction differs from an orb web. Large house spiders can use buildings and sheltered places outdoors; location alone does not tell us which species occupies a particular web.
A group of similar species
The group includes Eratigena atrica, E. duellica and E. saeva. Their boundaries have been debated scientifically. The European specialist reference treats them as separate species; a general side view or blurred photograph often cannot distinguish them confidently.
Neighbours with questions still open
Eratigena atrica is recorded in Europe, including Central Europe. That does not make every large brown house spider this species or imply equal abundance everywhere. Observations become more informative when location, date and web structure accompany an image.
Sources & image credits
- British Arachnological Society · House spiders: Tegenaria and Eratigena ↗
- Spiders of Europe · Eratigena atrica ↗
Sources checked: 2 November 2026. Comparisons carry the qualifications stated in each article.