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

Kukulcania hibernalis - Southern house spider

Kukulcania hibernalisKukulcania hibernalisKukulcania hibernalisKukulcania hibernalis
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
Kukulcania hibernalis
Eyes showing reflected light of tapeta (note long male palpus--almost vertical and folded back on itself)		 Kukulcania hibernalis
Ventral aspect of male palps, showing length. These are typically held straight forward.
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.
Kukulcania hibernalis
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

42 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-22
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-22
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Sandra Nichole on 2025-07-19
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Lanier on 2025-03-27
Stanly Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Lanier on 2025-03-27
Stanly Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-03-14
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-07-08
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-07-08
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael Davern on 2024-05-01
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2024-04-24
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-30
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-01-15
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-01-15
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-03
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-05
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-05
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-08-29
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-25
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-25
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-03-23
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2022-03-23
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Skadi Kylander on 2022-03-15
Hertford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Skadi Kylander on 2022-03-15
Hertford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-11-22
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-11-22
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian WAGONER & Donald ZEPP on 2021-08-11
Cumberland Co.
Comment: