The male steatoda grossa Spider, commonly called the Cupboard Spider, is also known as the comb-footed spider, and false widow spider. They are found along the Pacific coast of North America, in the southern States, and all along the Atlantic coast. The male black widow looks quite similar to the male steadoda in body shape, but the markings are different.
It is a common spider in homes & other structures, where it makes an irregular web. They prey upon other spiders, including the true black widow spiders. Female steatoda spiders have been reported to live for up to 6 years, and males, for 1 -1.5 years.
The female looks quite similar to the true black widow, she is up to 10.5 millimeters long, but the abdomen’s underside lacks the characteristic red hourglass pattern and is more oval-shaped than that of the true black widow.
In most specimens, the abdomen is brown to black in color, with light, pale yellow to grayish markings. These markings may be faded and difficult to see in many cupboard spiders. Their cephalothorax is red-brown in color, and their legs are a slightly darker shade. Males can vary significantly in appearance.
These spiders mate in the spring, and females can produce up to 5 egg sacs from May through July. Each sac can contain up to 200 eggs. Although males can live up to 18 months, they die shortly after mating. All stages of immature spiders & adults can be found in man-made structures throughout the year.