The Trachelas Transquillus, or broad-faced sac spider is a spider that is native to the Eastern part of the United States, especially in New England. The spider is an outdoor spider and can usually only be found in homes during the autumn months, when temperatures fall outside.
Trachelas Tranquillus Description
The Broad-Faced Sac Spider has a solid colored, darker brown or reddish cephalothorax that is on the shinier side.
The abdomen, lacking of any patterns as well, is usually more of a tan or gray color with a smooth but dull sheen to it.
One of the most telling signs in identifying the Broad Faced Sac Spider is by the legs.
The legs will be tan, brown, or even with a reddish shade to them and the front pair will always be much darker than the back legs.
The broad-faced sac spider is sometimes confused with the Woodlouse Spider due to its similar appearance.
Size
The body of the adult female will grow to about 3/8 of an inch (10 mm). If the legs are included, they can reach approximately 5/8 of an inch (16 mm) across.
Trachelas Tranquillus Web
The Trachelas tranquillus does not spin webs to catch prey. They are nocturnal hunters and during the day, they will usually spin a web to create a thin cocoon-like sac to hide in. Therefore, its common name sac spider. These are often found in the crease where a wall meets the ceiling or in windowsills.
Bites of the broad-faced sac spider
The bite of the Broad Faced Sac Spider is initially painful and often produces a painful erythema, similar to that of a bee or wasp sting. This is also due to the large fangs of the Trachelas tranquillus. Some people who are sensitive to arthropod venom may experience more severe reactions. Overall, its bite is not considered medically significant.
Scientific Classification of the broad-faced sac spider
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Infraorder: Araneomorphae
- Family: Trachelidae
- Genus: Trachelas
- Species: Trachelas tranquillus
US states where the trachelas tranquillus is found
As mentioned above, the broad-faced sac spider can be found in the Eastern part of the United States. Mostly in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Found this spider on a door frame in my house. I sadly couldn’t recognize what kind it was. This is definitely a first time I’ve seen one like this in Hortonville, WI.
Hello Morgan,
This is a broad-faced sac spider (Trachelas tranquillus).
Its bite can be initially painful but they are not a medical concern. Sac spiders are more often seen in autumn when temperatures fall outside and they hide into warmer houses.
You can find more information about it here:
http://usaspiders.com/trachelas-tranquillus-broad-faced-sac-spider/
This spider was found in Kenosha, Wisconsin inside the house.
Hello Laura,
Thanks for getting in touch. This is a broad-faced sac spider. Can have a painful bite but not medically significant: http://usaspiders.com/trachelas-tranquillus-broad-faced-sac-spider/
Found a gal in house tonight. Let her out
Found this little guy in my bathroom
I found this spider in my house today. I am assuming, based on your responses above, that this is also a broad-faced sac spider. Is that correct?
Thanks for your feedback.
I found this little guy in the bathroom at work in Fort Worth, Texas. He’s kinda far from home according to this. I could be wrong but this definitely looks like the ones shown here. Just a lighter abdomen. If anyone can verify please do. I’d love to know what this is.