Photo credits
Fir0002 GFDL 1.2 · Petar Milošević CC BY-SA 4.0 · Charles J. Sharp CC BY-SA 4.0 · Melissa McMasters from Memphis, TN, United States CC BY 2.0
Pisauridae
Nursery Web Spider Identification in Australia
Long-legged hunting spider where females may guard a silk nursery for spiderlings.
First aid / what to do now
- Move away from the spider and avoid handling it.
- Wash the bite area with soap and water.
- Use a cold pack for pain or swelling.
- Call 13 11 26 or seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, spreading, infected-looking, allergic, or you are unsure what bit you.
This site cannot diagnose a bite. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice in Australia call 13 11 26.
How to identify the Nursery web spider
- Long-legged hunter
- Often on vegetation
- Female may guard a nursery web
- Does not rely on a neat orb web
Danger level
Usually low risk
What to check next
Check whether the silk is a nursery shelter rather than a prey-catching web.
When to seek medical help
Seek advice if symptoms are severe or unusual.
Where the Nursery web spider is usually seen in Australia
Vegetation, garden beds, shrubs, waterside plants and sheltered outdoor areas.
How it differs from lookalikes
These comparisons are clues, not a confirmed species ID. Use several features together: body shape, size, location, web type and behaviour.
- Wolf spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check whether the silk is a nursery shelter rather than a prey-catching web. For the other possibility, check: Check whether it was running on the ground rather than waiting in a web.
- Fishing spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check whether the silk is a nursery shelter rather than a prey-catching web. For the other possibility, check: Check whether it was beside water or moving across the water surface.
- Huntsman spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check whether the silk is a nursery shelter rather than a prey-catching web. For the other possibility, check: Check whether the legs spread sideways and the body is flattened rather than round or chunky.
Common comparisons
People often compare this spider with similar Australian spiders. These quick links help you check the closest alternatives.
Compare this spider by state
Use the state guides to compare this spider with other local possibilities.
Similar spiders to compare
Compare this spider with these likely lookalikes before settling on an identification.
Wolf spiderPainful but usually not life-threateningsame region, similar size, similar colour
Fishing spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Huntsman spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Social huntsman spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colourNext useful checks
Still trying to identify this spider?
Use these quick paths if the Nursery web spider is only one possible match. They help compare photo clues, local spider pages, bite guidance and similar Australian spiders.
Reference notes
How this guide stays cautious
Spider Identifier Australia uses visible clues to suggest likely possibilities. It is not a medical diagnosis or a formal species determination.
- Australian Museum spider informationAustralian spider identification, biology and dangerous spider context.
- Australian Museum funnel-web spidersFunnel-web range, identification and bite-safety context.
- Poisons Information CentreCall 13 11 26 for poisons advice from anywhere in Australia.
Common questions
Nursery web spider FAQ
Is the Nursery web spider dangerous?
Danger level: Usually low risk. Seek advice if symptoms are severe or unusual.
How do I identify the Nursery web spider?
Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Long-legged hunter; Often on vegetation; Female may guard a nursery web; Does not rely on a neat orb web.
What should I do if I think I was bitten by a Nursery web spider?
Clean the area, use a cold pack for pain, and seek medical advice if pain is severe, symptoms spread, infection signs appear, or you are unsure what bit you.
Where is the Nursery web spider usually found?
Vegetation, garden beds, shrubs, waterside plants and sheltered outdoor areas.
What spiders look similar to the Nursery web spider?
Common lookalikes can overlap in colour, size, web type or habitat. Use the similar spiders and common comparisons on this page to check alternatives before settling on a match.
Can I identify the Nursery web spider by photo?
A photo can help if it shows the whole spider, markings, size and where it was found. For the Nursery web spider, also compare the checklist clues and what to check next rather than relying on colour alone.