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.
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 Sooty orb-weaver
- 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
Danger level
Usually low risk
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 the Sooty orb-weaver is usually seen in Australia
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.
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.
- Enamelled spider / Bradley’s grass orb-weaverMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: 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. For the other possibility, check: Check for a small orb-web shape, glossy patterned abdomen and garden foliage setting. Compare with two-spined spiders, jewel spiders and St Andrew’s cross spiders.
- Knobbled garden orb-weaverMay overlap because of same region, similar colour, similar place. For this spider, check: 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. For the other possibility, check: Check the web and body shape first: this spider should be in or near a round orb web, usually at night. Look for a chunky abdomen, banded legs and the paired rear knobs. Compare with garden orb-weavers, humped golden orb-weavers and sooty orb-weavers if the body bumps or web setting are unclear.
- Two-spined spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: 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. For the other possibility, check: Check the underside of nearby leaves and look for two pale spines on the abdomen if it is an adult female. Compare with jewel spiders and other small orb-weavers.
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.
Enamelled spider / Bradley’s grass orb-weaverUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Knobbled garden orb-weaverUsually low risksame region, similar colour, similar place
Two-spined spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Three-lobed spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colourNext useful checks
Still trying to identify this spider?
Use these quick paths if the Sooty orb-weaver 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
Sooty orb-weaver FAQ
Is the Sooty orb-weaver dangerous?
Danger level: Usually low risk. 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.
How do I identify the Sooty orb-weaver?
Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: 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 should I do if I think I was bitten by a Sooty orb-weaver?
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 Sooty orb-weaver usually found?
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.
What spiders look similar to the Sooty orb-weaver?
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 Sooty orb-weaver by photo?
A photo can help if it shows the whole spider, markings, size and where it was found. For the Sooty orb-weaver, also compare the checklist clues and what to check next rather than relying on colour alone.