Cheiracanthium furculatum

Cheiracanthium furculatum is a species of spider in the family Cheiracanthiidae, commonly known as the Common House Sac Spider.^[1] It is an African endemic that has been introduced to Belgium.^[2]

Common House Sac Spider
Long-legged sac spider Cheiracanthium furculatum in its silk sac retreat, Pretoria, South Africa. It would emerge after dark to hunt. Entering of houses associated with onset of summer.
Conservation status
Least Concern (SANBI Red List)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Cheiracanthiidae
Genus:	Cheiracanthium
Species:	C. furculatum
Binomial name
Cheiracanthium furculatum Karsch, 1879
Synonyms
Cheiracanthium abyssinicum Strand, 1906 Cheiracanthium castum Lawrence, 1927 Cheiracanthium geniculosum Simon, 1886 Cheiracanthium hoggi Lessert, 1921 Cheiracanthium kiwunum Strand, 1916 Cheiracanthium lawrencei Roewer, 1951 Cheiracanthium melanostomellum Roewer, 1951 Cheiracanthium mohasicum Strand, 1916

Distribution

C. furculatum is widely found throughout Africa, Madagascar and Comoro Islands. In South Africa, it occurs in all nine provinces in more than 10 protected areas, at elevations from 3-1752 m above sea level.^[2]

Habitat

This very common species has been sampled from all biomes except Succulent Karoo. It occurs in vegetation, houses, gardens, grasslands, cultivated crops, shrubs, and trees.^[2]

Description

The species displays characteristic cream-yellow body coloration with blackish-brown chelicerae and eye region typical of Cheiracanthium. It constructs sac-like retreats in vegetation, particularly in rolled-up leaves.^[2]

Ecology and behavior

C. furculatum is an aggressive predator that kills prey it encounters, though it may not always feed on them. Four types of retreats are constructed: resting, mating, breeding, and hibernating.^[2]

Agricultural importance

This species is highly significant in South African agriculture, recorded from avocado, citrus, cotton, lucerne, macadamia, maize, mango, pecans, pistachio, potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, and vineyards. In citrus orchards, individuals can kill up to 29.3 citrus mites per spider per day.^[2]

Economic impact

While beneficial in vineyards, these spiders can become trapped in table grape containers during export. They can survive long periods at low temperatures and may escape when containers are opened in recipient countries.^[2]

Medical significance

C. furculatum is frequently found in houses and can bite when threatened. It produces cytotoxic venom affecting tissue around bite sites, potentially causing lesions up to 10 cm in diameter. It is the most abundant spider species found in houses in Gauteng and Free State provinces.^[2]

Conservation

Due to its wide geographical range, the species is listed as Least Concern. It has been sampled from more than 20 protected areas.^[2]