Eratigena saeva

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Eratigena saeva is a spider species found in Europe. It is part of the Eratigena atrica group, along with Eratigena atrica (the giant house spider) and Eratigena duellica. It was described by Blackwall in 1844; another name that has been used is Tegenaria saeva.

Appearance
- Looks very similar to the giant house spider. The only reliable way to tell them apart is by examining the genitalia.
- Males are about 10–14 mm long; females are slightly larger, about 11–16 mm.

Distribution
- Found in many European countries, including Ireland, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, Andorra, France (including Corsica), and Belgium.
- Reports also exist of occurrences in southwestern Canada and northwestern United States.

Habitat
- It is synanthropic, meaning it often lives in and around human places like houses, garages, and sheds.
- In warmer areas, it can also be found under stones, in rock crevices, rabbit holes, overhanging banks, or dense vegetation.

Web
- Builds typical sheet-like webs with a funnel-shaped retreat, similar to its relatives.

Life history
- Fertilized females produce egg sacs in spring; spiderlings develop over the year.
- Both sexes overwinter as juveniles and mature in the following year.
- Mating happens in autumn. Males die after mating; females overwinter with stored sperm and lay eggs in the spring.