A fairly
recent colonist in the UK, first appearing in the late
1940's. Eratigena agrestis (once Tegenaria agrestis) has since spread
rapidly northwards and is now quite common in
Nottinghamshire, where it can be found under stones and
wood on wasteground, former pit tops and sparsely
vegetated sites. In North America, E. agrestis
seems to have a preference for different habitats, more
akin to E. duellica in the UK and has been known
to bite with sometimes serious consequences when the bite
becomes infected. It has never been known to bite people
in Europe or the UK, but should be left well alone. |