Salsa fuliginata
Sooty Orb-Weaver Spider Identification in Australia
Small brown to dark Australian orb-weaver with sooty patterning, a round night web and a garden or shrubland habitat clue.
Usually low riskSooty orb-weavers are small Australian orb-weaving spiders from the newer Salsa genus. They are most useful to compare when a brown, reddish-brown or dark patterned spider is sitting in a round web in garden shrubs, open forest, dry sclerophyll forest or other low vegetation, especially in south-eastern and southern Australia.
Quick identification
- Small orb-weaver with brown, reddish-brown or dark sooty patterning
- Usually found sitting in a round web rather than running across the ground
- Web may be in shrubs, bushes, garden plants, open forest or dry sclerophyll vegetation
- Southern and south-eastern Australia clue, especially New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia records
What to check next
Check for a round orb web, small patterned body and low shrub or garden setting. Compare with garden orb-weavers, leaf-curling spiders, silver orb-weavers and dewdrop spiders if the web or body shape is unclear.
When to seek medical help
This spider is not usually considered dangerous. Avoid handling it and seek medical advice for severe pain, allergic symptoms, infection signs, spreading symptoms or uncertainty after any bite.
Where it is usually seen
Dry sclerophyll forest, open forest, shrubs, bushes, swamps, gardens and low vegetation in southern and south-eastern Australia, where it builds orb webs to catch flying insects.