(Araneae: Filistatidae)
Issue No. 255
G. B. Edwards
October, 1983
Introduction
The southern house spider (Filistata hibernalis Hentz) is a conspicuous arachnid due to its relatively large size and its distinctive web. It is common throughout Florida and much of the southern United States wherever man lives. Males of this species are frequently mistaken for the notorious brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa Gertsch and Mulaik, family Loxoscelidae) because of their color and general shape. Southern house spiders are not known to be dangerous; in fact, they appear to be harmless to humans.