Deadly Spiders In Austria: What You Need To Know

Spiders are generally feared due to their venomous bites, but are there poisonous spiders in Austria specifically? In 2006, Austria was gripped by fear due to the yellow sack spider, which has a bite that is painful but not life-threatening. However, according to a Reddit user, no spider found in Austria is dangerous, although almost every spider is venomous.

The yellow sack spider is venomous but not deadly

Spiders are generally not dangerous, but some species can deliver a nasty bite. In Austria, the yellow sack spider has been known to bite humans, causing a wave of hysteria in the country in 2006. The yellow sack spider is venomous, but its bite is not deadly. Here's what you need to know about this spider and its potential dangers.

The yellow sack spider, or Cheiracanthium inclusum, is a small spider that is commonly found in homes and gardens. It is identified by its pale yellow or cream body, with darker legs and a greenish abdomen in some cases. They are nocturnal and actively hunt their prey, which consists of other spiders and insects. During the day, they hide in small sacs or cocoons, typically found in corners of rooms or trees.

The yellow sack spider's bite is indeed painful and can cause a stinging sensation, redness, swelling, and burning. In some cases, it may also trigger an allergic reaction. However, the bite is not medically significant for most people and rarely results in serious medical conditions. Symptoms typically last for a few hours and can be treated with ice packs, anti-inflammatory medication, or aloe vera.

While the yellow sack spider's bite is not life-threatening, it is important to remain cautious. If symptoms persist or intensify, seek medical attention. Additionally, it is advisable to take preventive measures to keep these spiders out of your living space. This can include sealing cracks in your house's foundation, removing spider-friendly hiding places, and reducing vegetation close to the foundation.

In summary, the yellow sack spider is venomous and can deliver a painful bite, but it is not deadly. While it may cause discomfort and even allergic reactions in some individuals, its bite is not known to cause serious health issues. Nevertheless, it is always important to be cautious and take appropriate preventive and treatment measures when dealing with spiders and their bites.

Spider bites in Austria

In 2006, Austria was gripped by fear due to the spread of the yellow sack spider, also known as "Dornfingerspinne" in German. This spider, with a size of up to 1.6 cm in length, caused a wave of hysteria as its bites were reported in various parts of the country. The situation led to numerous hospital visits, although many of them were determined to be false alarms. Health authorities, including Health Minister Maria Rauch-Kallat, reassured the public that while the bites of the yellow sack spider are painful, they are not deadly.

Despite the relatively mild effects of the yellow sack spider's bite, it is important to remain cautious and seek medical attention if bitten. The bite has been described as similar to a wasp's sting and can cause discomfort. Additionally, individuals may experience varying levels of allergic reactions, further emphasizing the importance of monitoring any symptoms that may arise after a spider bite.

It is worth noting that spiders are not restricted by human-defined territorial boundaries, and their distribution is subject to change. Spiders can sometimes be found outside their typical range due to unintentional transportation by humans. Therefore, it is always advisable to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid spider bites, especially when venturing into areas known for spider activity.

To summarize, spider bites in Austria are typically not life-threatening, but they can cause pain and discomfort. The yellow sack spider, in particular, attracted significant attention in 2006 due to its painful bite. However, health authorities have assured the public that these bites are not deadly. It is always advisable to remain cautious, seek medical advice if bitten, and take preventive measures to minimize the risk of spider bites.

Spider species found in Austria

Austria is home to a wide variety of spider species, with over 50 spider species found in the country. Here is a list of some of the most common and interesting spider species found in Austria:

• Cross Orbweaver: Also known as the European Garden Spider, Orangie, or Pumpkin Spider, this spider is identified by its light yellow to dark grey colour and white markings across the top of the abdomen. They are common in many habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens, and are known for building a new web every day.
• European Nursery Web Spider: This spider has a slender abdomen with long legs, and its colour ranges from light to reddish-brown or grey to black. They are commonly found in tall grass, shrubs, or along the edges of woodlands.
• Long-bodied Cellar Spider: The Long-bodied Cellar Spider is characterised by its brown cephalothorax (head) and abdomen, with females having a body length of around 8 mm. They are often found in homes and buildings as they prefer warm habitats.
• Goldenrod Crab Spider: Females of this species can grow up to 10 mm, while males reach only 5 mm. They are usually yellow or white, or a combination of both, and sometimes pale green or pink. Crab spiders get their name from their ability to walk sideways, forwards, and backward.
• Zebra Jumping Spider: This spider has excellent binocular vision due to its large anterior median eyes. Its colouring is similar to that of a zebra, with black and white stripes. They are primarily found in open, vertical habitats such as rock faces and tree trunks.
• Walnut Orbweaver: This spider is wide and flattened with leathery skin, and its colour ranges from red-brown to grey-brown or black. They are commonly found in gardens, near sheds, fences, or under bark.
• Giant House Spider: One of the largest spider species in Austria, the Giant House Spider is mainly brown with lighter markings and hairy legs and bodies. They are typically found in caves, forests, or corners of homes.
• Pink Crab Spider: This spider comes in various colours, with females being pink, yellow, or white, and males ranging from brown to green-yellow. They are triangular in shape and are typically found on low-growing flowers or other vegetation.
• Radiated Wolf Spider: Wolf spiders are one of the most recognisable spiders in Austria, and the Radiated Wolf Spider (Hogna radiata) is the most common species. They are found in almost any habitat and do not use webs to catch their prey but instead rely on their eyesight and speed.
• Wasp Spider: This spider gets its name from its unique coloration, which resembles that of a wasp, with striking yellow and black markings. They build beautiful orb-shaped webs and are commonly found in sunny, open fields or gardens.
• Napoleon Spider: The Napoleon Spider has a large, circular abdomen that can be red, yellow, or white with a black pattern. Its name comes from the silhouette of Napoleon wearing his iconic hat that can be seen on the spider's back. They are found on flowering plants, where they use their front legs to hunt and immobilise their prey.
• Cricket-bat Orbweaver: This small spider, with females reaching up to 6 mm in length, has a yellowish abdomen with black markings that resemble a cricket bat. They are commonly found in meadows, gardens, and open forest clearings, where they build small, dense, orb-shaped webs.
• Triangle Crab Spider: This spider has a whitish-yellow abdomen with red markings and light green legs and body. They are found inside flowers and on vegetation in dry and sunny meadows and forest edges. Like other crab spiders, they walk sideways, forwards, and backward.
• Four-spot Orbweaver: As their name suggests, these spiders always have four white spots on their abdomen and vary in colour from brown to bright orange or green. They build large orb webs in areas with tall vegetation and add a funnel-shaped retreat made of thick silk to escape from predators or bad weather.
• Cucumber Green Spider: The Cucumber Green Spider, or Araniella cucurbitina, has a yellowish-green abdomen with small black dots and a light yellow to red-brown body. They are commonly found along the edges of woodlands, hedgerows, and other wooded areas, where they build their orb webs.
• Fencepost Jumping Spider: This brown or grey spider has a flat and furry body and is quite large for a jumping spider. They are often found living in close proximity to one another, demonstrating a social hierarchy. They are commonly found under the bark of dead trees, on fences, logs, tree trunks, and garden sheds.
• Raft Spider: The Raft Spider is a semi-aquatic spider found in freshwater wetlands. They have dark brown bodies with a white, cream, or yellow stripe along both sides. They can fully submerge themselves underwater and even hunt underwater.
• Triangulate Combfoot: Also known as the Triangulate Cobweb Spider, this small spider, with a length of only 3-6 mm, is identified by its brownish-orange cephalothorax and legs and creamy-coloured, triangle-patterned abdomen. They are commonly found in houses, especially in corners and basements.
• Silver-sided Sector Spider: This spider, also called the Missing Sector Orb Weaver, has a body size of 5-11 mm for females and up to 7 mm for males. They are identified by their yellow-brown head and legs and silvery abdomen with a wavy leaf-like mark. Their orb webs are often found on walls, fences, and even on boats and docks.
• European Harvestman: Also known as Daddy-long Legs, this arachnid is technically not a spider but is commonly found in Austria. They have a three-lobed dark "saddle" on their body and long, thin legs. They are found in various habitats, including gardens, fields, and lawns, and are often seen in large groups.

Spider ID in Austria

Spiders are a common sight in Austria, with over 50,000 species worldwide and many that are unique to the country. While most spiders are harmless, it's still important to be able to identify them, especially if you're dealing with an infestation or a potential threat. Here is a guide to help you identify some of the most common spiders found in Austria:

European Garden Spider/Cross Spider/Orangie/Pumpkin Spider

These spiders are easily identified by their yellow to dark grey colour and white markings across their abdomen, forming a cross. Their size ranges from 5.5 mm to 20 mm. They are commonly found in forest clearings, meadows, and gardens, often hanging upside down in the centre of their spiral webs. While they are not aggressive, they will bite if accidentally grabbed, causing mild pain, redness, and swelling.

European Nursery Web Spider

This spider has a slender abdomen with long legs, the fourth one being the longest. Their colours range from light to reddish-brown, grey to black, with a lighter stripe down the middle of the back. They are commonly found in tall grass, shrubs, or along the edges of woodlands. The female carries her egg sac in her mouth before hiding it under a leaf and spinning a protective silk enclosure.

Long-bodied Cellar Spider

The Long-bodied Cellar Spider is identified by its brown cephalothorax (head) and abdomen, with long legs that are about 5 to 6 times the length of its body. They are commonly found in homes and buildings, originating from subtropical climates in Asia. They are beneficial in controlling other spider populations but will also eradicate native spider species. They do not pose a threat to humans.

Goldenrod Crab Spider/Flower Spider

The Goldenrod Crab Spider is a yellow, white, or pale green spider with a wide, flat body and long legs. They can change their colour depending on their surroundings, and their diet can also affect their colour. They are commonly found on flowers and prey on insects much larger than themselves using venom, but their fangs are not powerful enough to penetrate human skin.

Zebra Jumping Spider

The Zebra Jumping Spider is identified by its zebra-like pattern of black and white stripes and large anterior median eyes. They are found in open, vertical habitats such as rock faces, tree trunks, and walls. They hunt by slowly moving towards their prey and then jumping on it, similar to a cat. Male Zebra Jumping Spiders perform a courtship dance to impress potential mates.

Walnut Orbweaver/Evening Spider

The Walnut Orbweaver is a flattened spider with leathery skin, ranging in colour from red-brown to black. They have a dark, yellowish, leaf-like marking on their back and are commonly found at night, hiding in crevices during the day. They build orb-shaped webs that can reach up to 70mm across.

Giant House Spider

The Giant House Spider is one of the largest spiders in Austria, with a brown body and hairy legs and body. They are commonly found in homes, in corners or undisturbed places, and possess venom to subdue their prey. They are fast and will only bite if provoked.

Yellow Sack Spider/Dornfingerspinne

The Yellow Sack Spider is a long-standing resident of Austria, growing up to 1.6cm in length. Its bite is painful but not life-threatening, similar to a wasp's sting, and can cause an allergic reaction in some cases.

Radiated Wolf Spider

The Radiated Wolf Spider is one of the most common and recognizable spiders in Austria, with its yellow and black markings. They do not make webs but chase down their prey using their eyesight. They will bite if provoked but are not considered dangerous.

Triangulate Cobweb Spider/Triangulate Combfoot

The Triangulate Cobweb Spider is a small, brownish-orange spider with a creamy, triangle-shaped pattern on its abdomen. They are commonly found in houses, especially in corners and basements, and are beneficial in controlling pest populations. Their bites are not dangerous unless the person bitten has an allergy.

Spider behaviour and habitat

Spiders are air-breathing arthropods with eight legs and fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity.

Spider Behaviour

Spiders exhibit a large diversity of behaviour. They are almost all predatory, mostly preying on insects and other spiders, although some species also take vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, fish, birds and bats. Spiders' guts are too narrow to take solids, so they liquidise their food by flooding it with digestive enzymes and grinding it with the bases of their pedipalps.

Most spiders are carnivorous, but a few species, primarily of jumping spiders, supplement their diet with plant matter such as sap, nectar and pollen. However, lab studies have shown that these spiders become unhealthy when fed only plants. One exception is the Bagheera kiplingi, a largely herbivorous jumping spider.

Many spiders build webs, but others use a wide variety of methods to capture prey. Some spiders hunt freely, some on land and some on water. Spiders exhibit varying levels of sociality, with some tending to live in colonies. Spiders also perform cannibalism under a range of circumstances.

Spider Habitat

Spiders can be found in all terrestrial ecosystems except for Antarctica. They are versatile and ubiquitous generalist predators. They are prominent in studies on dispersal and biogeography due to their unique ability for long-distance dispersal via ballooning. They are also studied in the context of niche separation.

Frequently asked questions