Arachnids of North Carolina
Order:
Scientific Name: Common Name: Family (Alpha):
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Sole representative of Filistatidae in NC
NC Records

Kukulcania hibernalis - Southern house spider

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Filistatidae                                                                                 
Comments: The filistatid genus Kukulcania was erected by Lehtinen in 1967 and the type species transferred to it from Filistata.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Lehtinen, P. T. (1967). Classification of the cribellate spiders and some allied families, with notes on the evolution of the suborder Araneomorpha. Annales Zoologici Fennici 4: 199-468.
Comments: Large spiders: the females are robust and a velvety, dusky gray; the males are spindly and lighter brown. The 8 eyes are found on raised tubercle, and their tapeta make them appear noticeably white.
Total Length: Females 13-19mm; males 9-10mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo
Structural photos
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Southeastern states, west to Texas.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: on and in buildings, often found on cinder block walls and loose clapboard, which can afford numerous crevices.
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Very common
Silk / Web: Messy, flat web, typically radiating out from the spider's tubular retreat.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

Photo Gallery for Kukulcania hibernalis - Southern house spider

Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Brunswick Co.
Comment: Enjoying an Asian lady beetle for dinner.		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Hyde Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Hyde Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: Female, with egg sac
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales
Cumberland Co.
Comment: Crawling along the wall of one of our picnic shelters at night.		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales
Cumberland Co.
Comment: Crawling along the wall of one of our picnic shelters at night.
Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA - In Bathhouse @ -76.697438, 34.694909		Recorded by: Skadi Kylander
Hertford Co.
Comment: Found in a stairwell of a college building. Also posted on BugGuide.net: https://bugguide.net/node/view/2097795
Recorded by: Skadi Kylander
Hertford Co.
Comment: Found in a stairwell of a college building. Also posted on BugGuide.net: https://bugguide.net/node/view/2097795		Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA
Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA		Recorded by: Morgan Freese
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian WAGONER
Cumberland Co.
Comment: Male specimen in school classroom. Photos by Brian WAGONER		Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Johnston Co.
Comment: Found walking in downstairs bathroom
Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Johnston Co.
Comment: Found walking in downstairs bathroom		Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA - Restored room in fort @ -76.678895, 34.696135
Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA - In Maintenance Shop @ -76.680785, 34.694982		Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA - In Maintenance Shop @ -76.680785, 34.694982
Recorded by: S. Crocker and R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA - Observed inside maintenance building near bathhouse.		Recorded by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: Adult female, found in an office