The 'aggressive house spider' myth
The hobo spider (Eratigena agrestis) was once nicknamed 'aggressive house spider' from a mistranslation of its specific epithet (agrestis means 'of the field'). Behavioral studies show hobo spiders are not aggressive and bite only when crushed.
References
- [1]Hobo Spider - Myth vs Reality - Washington State University. Accessed June 2026.
Related in Behavior
- Why spiders come indoorsMost spiders found inside North American homes are house-adapted species that live their entire lives indoors.
- Do spiders hunt in packs?With rare exceptions among a few tropical species (Anelosimus eximius), spiders are solitary predators.
- Ballooning: how spiderlings travelMany spiderlings disperse by releasing silk strands into rising air and being carried aloft, sometimes for hundreds of kilometers.
- Courtship and mating behaviorSpider courtship is highly species-specific and often involves vibratory signaling, visual displays, or chemical cues.
- Prey capture strategiesPrey capture in spiders ranges from passive web ambush to active visual pursuit.
- Diurnal vs. nocturnal activity patternsMost North American synanthropic spiders are nocturnal; jumping spiders and many crab spiders are strictly diurnal.