Cheiracanthium species
Yellow Sac Spider Identification in Australia
Pale yellow or straw-coloured wandering spider that makes small silk retreats.
Painful but usually not life-threateningSac spiders can turn up indoors and are sometimes blamed for unexplained bites. Look for a pale yellow or straw-coloured active spider that is not sitting in a capture web, together with a small silk retreat in a folded leaf, wall edge or indoor corner. The lack of a large web helps separate it from common house-web spiders; colour by itself is not enough because many small wandering spiders are pale. Avoid handling an unknown spider and seek medical advice if pain is severe, symptoms spread or there is concern after a bite.
Quick identification
- Pale yellow to straw colour
- Wandering hunter
- Small silk retreat rather than capture web
- Often seen on walls or foliage
What to check next
Check colour, small size and lack of a large capture web.
When to seek medical help
Seek medical advice for severe pain, infection signs or spreading symptoms.
Where it is usually seen
Leaves, walls, ceilings, gardens and indoor corners.