House Spider - Eratigena duellica sensu stricto

Males 10 to14 mm, females 11to16 mm. Prosoma yellowish-grey, with 2 broad, dark brown-black longitudinal stripes. Sternum grey-brown, with brighter median part and bright spots near coxa. Legs yellowish-grey. Opisthosoma grey-brown, dorsally with 2 longitudinal rows of yellow spots and slender, yellow median stripe. The "Giant House Spiders" - Eratigena gigantea, E. saeva, and E. atrica - cannot be told apart from their overall appearance. E. duellica is the common species in Leicestershire, although E. saeva and hybrids do occur. E. atrica is nationally rare. 

Other Eratigena species. 

Examination of the genitalia is required to confirm this species, and some specimens may be intermediate hybrids. If in doubt, record to genus only as Eratigena or as Giant House-spider agg.

In hollow trees, under stones in warm locations, often in buildings.

All year. 

Common in Britain

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.