Pantropical huntsman spider vs Barn funnel weaver
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a pantropical huntsman spider from a barn funnel weaver, and whether either one bites or stings.
Pantropical huntsman spider
Heteropoda venatoria
Barn funnel weaver
Tegenaria domestica
≠The key differences
Tegenaria (funnel weavers) have longer, more upright legs and build sheet/funnel webs; they do not have the laterigrade, crab-like leg posture of Heteropoda.
⚖︎Side by side
| Pantropical huntsman spider | Barn funnel weaver | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Mildly venomous | Mild bite |
| Size | Body length about 20-30 mm; legspan typically 70-120 mm | Body length about 6-12 mm; legspan up to about 50 mm |
| Colours | Brown, Tan, Cream | Brown, Tan, Dark brown, Yellowish-tan |
| Family | Sparassidae | Agelenidae |
| Habitat | Warm, sheltered microhabitats: houses, sheds, under bark, behind loose masonry, and leaf litter in tropical gardens | Human structures (houses, barns, basements, garages), cellars, woodpiles and sheltered outdoor crevices |
| Range | Pantropical: native to tropical Asia but now widespread across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and commonly found in human dwellings | Native to Europe; widely introduced and common in North America and other temperate regions, especially inside buildings |
| Active | Nocturnal (most active at night); year-round in warm areas and indoors | Nocturnal; active year-round indoors and outdoors mainly in summer-autumn for mating and dispersal |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a pantropical huntsman spider
- Large, flattened body with legs held sideways (laterigrade), giving a crab-like profile
- Mottled brown to tan coloration with faint banding on legs
- Very long legspan (often 7-12 cm) compared with body length
- Found in warm buildings, behind furniture, under bark or in leaf litter; active at night
🔍How to spot a barn funnel weaver
- Look for a horizontal sheet web with a funnel-shaped retreat tucked into a corner, gap or crevice.
- Body tan to brown with two dark bands on the cephalothorax and a mottled, chevron-marked abdomen; long legs ringed with darker bands.
- Found in undisturbed corners of basements, attics, barns and garages — typically inside human structures.
- Males are more slender with proportionally longer legs and may be seen wandering in late summer.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pantropical huntsman spider and a barn funnel weaver?
Tegenaria (funnel weavers) have longer, more upright legs and build sheet/funnel webs; they do not have the laterigrade, crab-like leg posture of Heteropoda.
Is a pantropical huntsman spider or a barn funnel weaver more dangerous?
Pantropical huntsman spider: Mildly venomous. Barn funnel weaver: Mild bite. Bites are uncommon and usually occur only if the spider is provoked, trapped on skin, or handled. Not dangerous to humans.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.