Tegenaria is a genus of spiders commonly known as "house spiders". The spelling of this word is "tɪˈɡɛnərɪə" using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The pronunciation of the first syllable "tɪˈɡɛnə" is easy to remember by breaking it into two words - "tie" and "gen". The next three syllables are pronounced as "rɪə", which sounds like "rear" in English. Tegenaria spiders are harmless to humans and play an important role in controlling the insect population in our homes.
Tegenaria is a noun that refers to a genus of spiders commonly known as house spiders or funnel-web spiders. It is derived from the Latin word "tegenarius," meaning "spider dwelling in houses."
Tegenaria spiders belong to the family Agelenidae, characterized by their distinctive funnel-shaped webs. They are found worldwide and are particularly prevalent in temperate regions. These spiders are usually brown or grey in color, with a cylindrical body and long legs. They range in size from small to medium, with some species reaching an average leg span of up to 5 cm (2 inches).
House spiders are known for their ability to adapt to various environments and thrive in human dwellings. They typically reside in dark, undisturbed areas such as basements, garages, and attics. They construct funnel-like webs, which serve as their primary hunting and sheltering grounds. Tegenaria spiders prey on insects that inadvertently wander into their webs, paralyzing them with venomous bites before consuming them. Although they possess venom glands, their bites are not considered harmful to humans, usually resulting in mild reactions such as redness and swelling.
In summary, tegenaria is a genus of spiders that encompass various species commonly known as house spiders or funnel-web spiders due to their unique web-building habits. These spiders have adapted to live in human dwellings and primarily feed on insects trapped in their webs.
The word tegenaria has its roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin term tegenes which refers to a roof or covering. This Latin term, in turn, originates from the Proto-Indo-European root *teg-, meaning to cover or to protect. In scientific nomenclature, tegenaria is used as the genus name for a group of spiders known as house spiders or large house spiders.