Spitting spiders were possibly introduced from the tropics. They immobilise prey by spitting at it.

Physical description
Spitting spiders have a thorax that is often as big and round as their abdomen. They are small (6mm) pale yellow spiders covered in varying sizes of black dots.

Distribution
They inhabit southern Britain. These spiders are found outdoors in the tropics but occur in houses all over the world.

Habitat
Spitting spiders live in dark corners of houses. They are often found around window frames and in cupboards.

Diet
They hunt small insects including mosquitoes and house-flies.

Behaviour
Spitting spiders can be seen walking slowly across walls and floors in houses. When they locate their prey they spit a mixture of venom and glue at it from a distance of over 10mm. This quickly immobilises the target allowing the spider to feed without its prey struggling.

Reproduction
Not much is known about this spider's mating habits. It is thought that the female cares for the young and so does not produce very many eggs.

Conservation status
They are not protected by law in the UK.