Steatoda capensis is a spider originating from South Africa. Its common names include the ''black cobweb spider'', ''brown house spider'', ''cupboard spider'' and due to its similarities to the katipō spider it is commonly known as the ''false katipō'' in New Zealand. Common throughout Southern Africa, it has been introduced into other countries and is now present in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

and throughout New Zealand. It is a small spider, usually an all-over shiny black. It may have a small bright red, orange, or yellow patch near the tip of the abdomen along with a crescent shaped band near the front of the abdomen. It is thought that in some instances ''Steatoda capensis'' can bite humans causing a syndrome known as steatodism; which has been described as a less-severe form of

latrodectism Latrodectism () is the illness caused by the bite of ''Latrodectus'' spiders (the black widow spider and related species). Pain, muscle rigidity, vomiting, and sweating are the symptoms of latrodectism. There are several spider species all named b ...

. Bites can be quite painful and can cause a general

malaise As a medical term, malaise is a feeling of general discomfort, uneasiness or lack of wellbeing and often the first sign of an infection or other disease. The word has existed in French since at least the 12th century. The term is often used ...

for about a day. __TOC__

Etymology

The species name of "capensis" refers to Cape Town, which is where the spider originates.

Taxonomy

''Steatoda capensis'' was first described in 1904 as ''Teutana lepida'' by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge from specimens collected in South Africa. In 1977, ''T. lepida'' was moved to the ''

Steatoda The spider genus ''Steatoda'', in the family Theridiidae, includes about 120 recognized species, distributed around the world (including many cosmopolitan species which are found among human populations worldwide). One common name is cupboard spi ...

'' genus since ''Teutana'' had previously been recognized as a synonym of ''Steatoda''. However, in 1990, it was recognized that there was separate species of spider named '' Steatoda lepida'', so the species that was formerly ''T. lepida'' was renamed as ''Steatoda capensis''.Hann, S. W. (1990). A new combination involving ''Lithyphantes lepidus'' Cambridge 1897 and a new name for ''Teutana lepida'' Cambridge 1903 (Araneae, Theridiidae). ''New Zealand Journal of Zoology'' 17: 283.

Distribution/habitat

''Steatoda capensis'' is native to South Africa but is also found in Australia and New Zealand (where it is especially widespread in the latter). The spiders are synanthropic and frequently live on or in buildings. They also occur in a variety of other habitats such as sand dunes.

Ecology

In New Zealand, ''Steatoda capensis'' occurs in sand dunes where the endemic katipō spider also occurs. The two spiders occupy similar niches to one another, but ''S. capensis'' can reproduce more quickly. Because of this, it is possible that ''S. capensis'' is slowly displacing katipō spiders from their native habitat, which may be a contributing factor in their declining population.

Interactions with humans

Although not severe, ''S. capensis'' produce a painful bite when threatened. Bites are predominately inflicted by females, but males also have the potential to bite. Bites from ''S. capensis'' can cause steatodism, which can be thought of as a less severe form of latrodectism. Effects of the bite typically include localized pain and redness around the bite, but may also include nausea and headaches. Antivenom typically used for '' Latrodectus hasselti'' bites may also be effective on ''S. capensis'' bites.

Footnotes

External links

Black cobweb or false katipō spider
on the website of the

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum and is located in Wellington. ''Te Papa Tongarewa'' translates literally to "container of treasures" or in full "container of treasured things and people that spring fr ...

Steatoda Spiders of South Africa Spiders of Australia Spiders of New Zealand Spiders described in 1990 {{Theridiidae-stub