Boreal Combfoot

Steatoda borealis

Males of this species can produce a faint clicking sound by rubbing specialized ridges on their abdomen against their cephalothorax to court females.

Scientific name: Steatoda borealis
Taxonomy: Animalia › Arthropoda › Arachnida › Araneae › Theridiidae › Steatoda
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Population trend: stable
Biome: forest
Habitat: Temperate deciduous and coniferous forests, often found under loose bark, rocks, and inside unheated human structures like sheds.
Diet: Small insects, flies, beetles, and other spiders trapped in its sticky, tangled cobwebs.
Range: North America, United States, Canada
Size: 5 to 7 mm (body length, excluding legs)
Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
Active: nocturnal
Threats: Widespread pesticide use in suburban areas and loss of mature forest microhabitats.
Safe to approach?: Harmless and non-aggressive. If encountered, keep a safe distance or gently relocate it outside using a cup and paper. If bitten (which only occurs if pinched or squeezed), wash the area with soap and water, apply a cold compress, and seek medical help only if an allergic reaction develops.

Steatoda borealis is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae. It is found in the USA and Canada.

Photo: Bill Keim, CC-BY, via iNaturalist