Summary
Giant house spiders are larger, darker, and have solid dark bands on the sternum. Hobo spiders are smaller with a herringbone abdomen pattern and pale sternum stripes.
Diagnostic traits
| Trait | Hobo Spider | Giant House Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Leg span | 27–45 mm | 45–75 mm |
| Sternum | Light stripes down center | Solid dark, no stripes |
| Abdomen | Yellowish herringbone chevrons | Uniform dark brown |
| Medical | Originally feared (now downgraded by CDC) | Not medically significant |
The bottom line
At-a-glance comparison
| Hobo Spider | Giant House Spider | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific | Eratigena agrestis | Eratigena atrica |
| Family | Agelenidae | Agelenidae |
| ♀ body | 11–15 mm | 11–18 mm |
| Leg span | 27–45 mm | 45–100 mm |
| Range | 7 U.S. states | 3 U.S. states |
| Medical | Low | Not medically significant |