Arachnids of North Carolina
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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

Eyes showing reflected light of tapeta (note long male palpus--almost vertical and folded back on itself)

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.
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
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 Photo Gallery for Kukulcania hibernalis - Southern house spider

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

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-30
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-01-15
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-01-15
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-03
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-05
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-05
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-08-29
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-25
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-25
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2022-03-23
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Skadi Kylander on 2022-03-15
Hertford Co.
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Recorded by: Skadi Kylander on 2022-03-15
Hertford Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-11-22
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-11-22
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Brian WAGONER on 2021-08-11
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: Morgan Freese on 2021-05-01
New Hanover Co.
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Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2021-03-10
Johnston Co.
Comment: Found walking in downstairs bathroom, note long, articulated palpi, folded back.
Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2021-03-10
Johnston Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-01-09
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-01-09
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2020-11-25
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2020-10-09
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2016-10-19
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2015-09-02
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2015-09-02
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2012-09-25
Onslow Co.
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