Photo credits
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (iNaturalist user: gorcc_enviroed) CC0 · Don Horne CC BY 4.0 · Don Horne CC BY 4.0
Maratus griseus / Hypoblemum griseum
White-Banded House Jumping Spider Identification Australia
Small brown and grey house-hopper jumping spider, often seen on walls, fences, bark, foliage and around Australian homes.
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 White-banded house jumping spider
- Small compact jumping spider with large forward-facing eyes
- Brown, grey, black and white mottled or banded markings
- Short stop-start movement and little jumps rather than a capture web
- Often noticed on house walls, fences, bark, foliage, leaf litter or garden edges
Danger level
Usually low risk
What to check next
Check for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps and mottled white-banded patterning. Compare with garden jumping spiders, bronze Aussie jumping spiders and peacock spiders if the body pattern or location 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 White-banded house jumping spider is usually seen in Australia
House walls, fences, bark, shrubs, garden foliage, leaf litter, low vegetation and sheltered indoor or outdoor surfaces across much of southern and eastern Australia, with records also from Western Australia.
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.
- Giant bark jumping spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps and mottled white-banded patterning. Compare with garden jumping spiders, bronze Aussie jumping spiders and peacock spiders if the body pattern or location is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check for the jumping-spider stance, short stalking movements and bark or wall setting. Compare with generic jumping spiders, peacock spiders and tiny wall spiders if the photo is unclear.
- Knobbly crab spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps and mottled white-banded patterning. Compare with garden jumping spiders, bronze Aussie jumping spiders and peacock spiders if the body pattern or location is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check for the crab-like stance, lumpy bark camouflage and no capture web. Compare with trapezoid crab spiders, flower crab spiders and small jumping spiders if the photo is not close enough.
- Orange-legged swift spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps and mottled white-banded patterning. Compare with garden jumping spiders, bronze Aussie jumping spiders and peacock spiders if the body pattern or location is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check for the stop-start running behaviour, orange front legs, black-and-white markings and no capture web. Compare with swift ground spiders, wolf spiders and ant-mimic spiders if the leg colour is unclear.
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.
Giant bark jumping spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Knobbly crab spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Orange-legged swift spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Garden jumping spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colourNext useful checks
Still trying to identify this spider?
Use these quick paths if the White-banded house jumping 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
White-banded house jumping spider FAQ
Is the White-banded house jumping spider 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 White-banded house jumping spider?
Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Small compact jumping spider with large forward-facing eyes; Brown, grey, black and white mottled or banded markings; Short stop-start movement and little jumps rather than a capture web; Often noticed on house walls, fences, bark, foliage, leaf litter or garden edges.
What should I do if I think I was bitten by a White-banded house jumping 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 White-banded house jumping spider usually found?
House walls, fences, bark, shrubs, garden foliage, leaf litter, low vegetation and sheltered indoor or outdoor surfaces across much of southern and eastern Australia, with records also from Western Australia.
What spiders look similar to the White-banded house jumping 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 White-banded house jumping spider by photo?
A photo can help if it shows the whole spider, markings, size and where it was found. For the White-banded house jumping spider, also compare the checklist clues and what to check next rather than relying on colour alone.