Identification
Physical Characteristics
Size: Females are the larger sex, with a body length that can reach up to 30mm. Males are more slender and smaller, typically around 15-20mm.
Coloration: The colour is generally a uniform brown to dark-brown, sometimes with a slight purplish or reddish sheen on the carapace. The abdomen is typically a matching dark brown or greyish-brown, covered in fine hairs. The legs are the same colour as the body. There are no distinct patterns or markings, giving it a very plain, earthy appearance that aids its camouflage.
Key Features: The number one distinguishing feature is not on the spider itself, but its burrow: a characteristic silk tube, often 5-10cm long, extending from the main burrow entrance. Physically, it is very similar to Misgolas rapax, but can be differentiated by experts. It also has downward-striking fangs, typical of the infraorder Mygalomorphae.
Biology & Lifecycle
Development & Reproduction
Reproduction Rate: Reproduction is a slow process, with females likely producing an egg sac only every one to two years, contingent on factors like food abundance and successful mating.
Lifecycle Details
Egg Stage
Following successful mating in the autumn or winter, the female Misgolas robertsi retreats deep into her burrow to construct a thick, silken egg sac. This sac will contain several dozen to over one hundred eggs. The sac is meticulously cared for by the female, who guards it against predators and maintains a stable microclimate within the burrow. The incubation period lasts for several weeks, with its exact duration depending heavily on the ambient temperature and humidity within the soil.
Larval Stage
Once the eggs hatch, the tiny, immobile post-embryos remain within the egg sac. They are nourished by their internal yolk reserves. They undergo their first moult inside the sac, a critical developmental step before they emerge as first-instar spiderlings. This entire stage occurs under the direct protection of the female within the security of the burrow.
Pupal Stage
After emerging from the egg sac, the spiderlings (there is no pupal stage in spiders) remain with their mother inside her burrow and its associated tube for an extended period, sometimes for many months. They benefit from her protection and may even share in the prey she captures. They grow through a series of moults. Eventually, driven by instinct and growing competition, they will disperse to establish their own territories. This dispersal event is often synchronized with humid or rainy weather to increase their chances of survival.
Adult Stage
Females are sedentary and exceptionally long-lived, potentially surviving for more than a decade in the same location. They reach sexual maturity after many years of growth. Males, however, have a predetermined lifespan. They mature after a similar number of years, then abandon their burrows to wander in search of receptive females. Their life ends shortly after this mating phase, as they succumb to predation, environmental stress, or are killed by the females.
Reproduction Rate
Reproduction is a slow process, with females likely producing an egg sac only every one to two years, contingent on factors like food abundance and successful mating.
Generations Per Year
This species does not have distinct annual generations. Instead, a population consists of many overlapping generations due to their long lifespans. An individual female reproduces infrequently.
Development Time
The time required to reach sexual maturity from an egg is estimated to be around 4 to 6 years. The female's total lifespan can be well over a decade, whereas the male's is fixed at around 4-6 years.
Seasonal Cycle
Similar to other Misgolas species, males undertake their search for mates in the autumn and early winter. This is the main period they are found away from their burrows. Females are active year-round from their fixed location.
Environmental Factors
The presence of stable structures like rocks, logs, or retaining walls is a key environmental factor for this species, as it uses them as an anchor for its tube. Soil moisture and stability are also vital for the underground portion of the burrow.
Habitat & Distribution
Preferred Habitats
- Eucalypt forests and woodlands with rocky outcrops.
- Suburban gardens, especially those with rockeries or retaining walls.
- Moist embankments along creeks and roadsides.
- At the base of large trees or fallen logs.
- Areas where there is a stable object to anchor their tube to.
Distribution Patterns
Australian Distribution
Primarily found in coastal and mountain regions of New South Wales and southern Queensland. May also be present in parts of eastern Victoria.
Climate Zones
- Subtropical
- Temperate
Urban vs Rural Distribution
Common in both natural bushland and suburban environments that mimic its preferred habitat. Rock retaining walls, garden sheds, and established rockeries in suburbs provide ideal locations for Tube Spiders.
Native Range
Native to the eastern coast of Australia.
Introduced Range
Not known to have been introduced elsewhere.
Introduction History
A native Australian species.
Current Spread
The species is considered stable within its known range. The construction of suburban infrastructure like retaining walls may have inadvertently increased the available habitat for it.
Limiting Factors
Its distribution is limited by the availability of suitable habitat (rocky, structured environments) and is absent from arid and open grassland areas.
Behavior & Diet
Activity Pattern
Strictly nocturnal. The Tube Spider is an ambush predator that waits at the entrance of its silken tube for prey to come within striking distance. It is highly secretive and rarely seen during the day unless its burrow is disturbed. Wandering males in the autumn may be active day or night.
Dietary Preferences
Feeding Habits
A generalist carnivore, it consumes a wide range of invertebrates that move across the ground or the surface of the rock/log it inhabits.
Health Risks
Always consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns related to pest exposure.
Disease Transmission
- There is no evidence that Tube Spiders transmit diseases.
- The main health concern is from the bite (envenomation).
- As with any puncture wound, a secondary bacterial infection is a possibility if the bite area is not kept clean.
- It is not a vector for any known pathogens.
Allergens and Respiratory Issues
While not specifically documented, individuals with known sensitivities to spider or insect venom may experience a more severe local reaction, such as extensive swelling or hives.
Contamination Risk
Extremely low. This species is highly sedentary and remains in its burrow, posing no risk of contaminating food or surfaces.
Vulnerable Populations
- Children who may curiously poke at the interesting-looking silk tubes.
- Gardeners working in rockeries or around retaining walls.
- Pets that might sniff at or disturb a burrow entrance.
- Anyone performing maintenance on structures where these spiders build their homes.
Symptoms of Exposure
- An immediate, sharp pain from the physical puncture of the fangs.
- Localised swelling, redness, and some itching around the bite site.
- Mild systemic effects like nausea have been reported in a few cases but are uncommon and not severe.
- Symptoms are generally short-lived, resolving within 6-24 hours.
- No cases of necrosis or serious systemic toxicity have been confirmed.
Transmission Methods
- Envenomation via a defensive bite. The spider will only bite if it feels trapped and threatened.
- It cannot transmit venom or pathogens through any other means.
Risk Severity
Low. The venom is not considered dangerous to humans. The bite itself, however, can be quite painful due to the spider's large size and fangs.
Economic Impact
Treatment Costs
Professional Treatment
$250-$500 for a general spider treatment, which would include treating areas like rockeries and retaining walls where Tube Spiders are found.
Prevention Costs
$50-$100 annually for maintaining gardens to be less hospitable and for DIY insecticides.
Diy Treatment
$30-$80 for a suitable surface spray to treat around burrows or a perimeter spray to deter wandering males.
Property Damage
Structural Damage
None. Their burrows do not compromise the integrity of foundations or retaining walls.
Garden Damage
Negligible. The presence of their tubes on rocks is an aesthetic issue for some but causes no harm to plants or the garden structure.
Food Contamination
No risk.
Equipment Damage
None.
Business Impact
Restaurant Issues
No impact.
Retail Impact
No impact.
Reputation Damage
The visible tubes on a commercial property's landscaping (e.g., a resort with extensive rock walls) might be considered unsightly or alarming to guests.
Operational Disruption
None, unless a wandering male causes a temporary fright indoors.
Agricultural Impact
Crop Damage
None.
Yield Loss
None.
Beneficial Aspects
They are effective predators of various invertebrates, some of which may be garden pests. They contribute positively to the local ecosystem's balance.
Economic Loss
None.
Indirect Costs
Healthcare Costs
Minimal. A doctor's visit is rarely necessary unless for reassurance or if a secondary infection develops.
Cleanup Costs
None.
Replacement Costs
None.
Preventive Maintenance
Costs associated with garden upkeep and preventative pest control measures.
Detection & Signs
Visual Signs
- The primary and most obvious sign is the presence of one or more silken tubes on rock faces, retaining walls, or at the base of trees.
- Wandering brown mygalomorph spiders (males) sighted in autumn.
- Webbing can appear dirty as soil and leaf litter are incorporated into it.
- Finding a dead male spider in a pool or shed.
- Observing the spider sitting at the entrance of its tube at night.
Physical Evidence
- The silken tubes themselves.
- Shed exoskeletons (moults) may occasionally be found near the tube entrance.
- Remains of prey, such as beetle elytra, discarded near the burrow.
- The underground burrow, if the rock or log it's attached to is moved.
- Faint silk trip-lines on the surface around the tube.
Behavioral Signs
- A spider retreating rapidly into its tube when approached.
- The entrance of the tube may appear sealed with silk when the spider is inactive or moulting.
- Males wandering in the open during autumn, often after rain.
- Aggressive posture if the burrow is damaged or the spider is cornered.
Seasonal Indicators
- Autumn/Winter: Peak time to see wandering males.
- Spring/Summer: Tubes are actively maintained and used for hunting on warm nights.
- Tubes may be damaged after heavy storms and then repaired, indicating an active burrow.
- Young, smaller tubes may appear as spiderlings disperse and establish new territories.
Early Warning Signals
- Spotting a single tube indicates a suitable habitat and the likely presence of more.
- Building a new rock wall or rockery can attract these spiders to colonise the new structure.
- Finding small, newly constructed tubes.
- If your property has the right habitat (rocks, logs, embankments), it's worth monitoring for their presence.
Prevention
Sanitation Measures
- Keep garden areas, especially around rock walls and foundations, free from debris, woodpiles, and clutter.
- Clear away fallen logs and large pieces of bark where they might build.
- Control insect populations to reduce the available food source.
- Avoid using large rocks in landscaping immediately adjacent to the house.
- Regularly inspect sheds and garages for signs of wandering males.
Exclusion Methods
- Seal cracks and gaps in retaining walls near the house if possible, although this is often impractical.
- Install weather strips and seals on external doors to prevent wandering males from entering.
- Ensure screens on windows and doors are secure.
- Block any entry points from the sub-floor or wall cavities into living spaces.
- Cover pool filters and skimmers, and check them regularly.
Landscaping Tips
- When designing a garden, place rockeries and large timber features away from the house and high-traffic areas.
- Use gravel or smaller, tightly packed stones for retaining walls instead of large, gappy rocks where possible.
- Promote good drainage to prevent overly saturated soil conditions.
- Maintain a clear, vegetation-free zone around the perimeter of the house.
- Shine a torch on rock walls at night occasionally to monitor for activity.
Monitoring Strategies
- Visually inspect known habitats like rock walls and logs regularly for new tubes.
- Be vigilant during autumn for wandering males, especially after rain.
- Use sticky traps inside garages and sheds during autumn to monitor for male activity.
- Educate family members to recognise and avoid the silken tubes.
- Take extra care when moving rocks or logs in the garden.
Environmental Modification
- Reduce external lighting that attracts insects to areas with potential spider habitat.
- Alter the physical structure of their habitat. For example, filling large crevices in a retaining wall with mortar can prevent them from establishing a burrow.
- Dry, exposed, and frequently disturbed areas are less attractive to them.
- Physically remove rocks or logs that are providing ideal habitat close to the home.
- Use less organic mulch and more inorganic ground cover like pebbles near the house.
Control Methods
Professional Treatment Methods
Chemical Control
A pest control professional can apply a liquid insecticide directly to and around the silken tubes. They can also apply a perimeter spray around the property to intercept wandering males. Insecticidal dust can also be injected into the burrow opening.
Biological Control
No commercial biological control methods are available for Tube Spiders.
Physical Control
For a small number of spiders, physical removal is an option. This involves carefully destroying the tube and digging out the burrow to remove the spider. This is highly effective but labour-intensive and requires care.
Integrated Approach
The best long-term solution is an IPM approach. This involves a professional applying targeted treatments to existing burrows, creating a chemical barrier for wandering males, and the homeowner modifying the habitat (e.g., sealing cracks in walls, removing harbourage sites) to prevent future infestations.
DIY Treatment Options
Natural Remedies
Pouring boiling water into the tube/burrow can be effective but is dangerous to the user and may not penetrate deep enough to kill the spider. It is generally not recommended.
Home Made Traps
Sticky traps can catch wandering males but will not control the resident female population.
Deterrent Methods
There are no scientifically proven natural deterrents for this species. Physical alteration of the habitat is the most effective deterrent.
Mechanical Control
The most effective DIY method is to destroy the burrow. Using a shovel or trowel, the tube can be scraped away and the burrow dug out. The spider can then be killed or relocated far from the house. Always wear thick gloves and protective shoes.
Treatment Effectiveness
Success Rate
Direct chemical treatment of a burrow or physical removal has a near 100% success rate for that individual. Perimeter sprays are very effective at stopping males from entering homes.
Timeframe
Direct treatment provides an immediate result. A perimeter spray will last for several months.
Follow Up Required
Annual inspection of the property is recommended, with a perimeter treatment applied before the autumn wandering season if needed.
Seasonal Considerations
Treating burrows can be done at any time. Preventative treatments for wandering males should be applied in late summer/early autumn.
Application Techniques
- Direct application: Spraying or dusting insecticide directly onto the silk tube and into the burrow entrance.
- Perimeter spraying: Creating a chemical barrier around the home and along fences or retaining walls.
- Void treatment: Applying dust or aerosol into cracks and crevices in retaining walls where spiders may be burrowing.
- Spot treatment of wandering males with a household insecticide spray.
Professional Services
Professional Treatment Services
Chemical Control
A pest control professional can apply a liquid insecticide directly to and around the silken tubes. They can also apply a perimeter spray around the property to intercept wandering males. Insecticidal dust can also be injected into the burrow opening.
Biological Control
No commercial biological control methods are available for Tube Spiders.
Physical Control
For a small number of spiders, physical removal is an option. This involves carefully destroying the tube and digging out the burrow to remove the spider. This is highly effective but labour-intensive and requires care.
Integrated Approach
The best long-term solution is an IPM approach. This involves a professional applying targeted treatments to existing burrows, creating a chemical barrier for wandering males, and the homeowner modifying the habitat (e.g., sealing cracks in walls, removing harbourage sites) to prevent future infestations.
Professional Treatment Costs
$250-$500 for a general spider treatment, which would include treating areas like rockeries and retaining walls where Tube Spiders are found.
Treatment Success Rates
Direct chemical treatment of a burrow or physical removal has a near 100% success rate for that individual. Perimeter sprays are very effective at stopping males from entering homes.
Treatment Timeframe
Direct treatment provides an immediate result. A perimeter spray will last for several months.
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Browse All ProvidersSeasonal Patterns
Spring Activity
With warmer weather, females and juveniles increase their feeding activity from the safety of their tubes.
Summer Activity
Peak feeding time due to high insect availability. Hunting occurs on warm, humid nights.
Autumn Activity
The key season for male activity. Mature males abandon their burrows to wander in search of mates, and are often seen after rain.
Winter Activity
Male wandering can continue into early winter. Females remain in their burrows, becoming less active as temperatures drop.
Breeding Season
Mating occurs primarily in autumn and early winter.
Peak Activity Period
Human perception of infestation peaks in autumn when the wandering males are encountered. The actual population of sedentary females is stable year-round.
Environmental Factors
Temperature Effects
Moderate temperatures encourage feeding; extreme heat or cold leads to inactivity within the burrow.
Humidity Effects
High humidity is crucial for the survival of wandering males. Rainfall triggers their emergence.
Photoperiod Effects
Shorter daylight hours in autumn likely act as a biological cue for males to begin their wandering.
Weather Patterns
Heavy rainfall following a dry spell is a major trigger for male dispersal and activity.
Legal Considerations
Pest Status
Classified as a nuisance pest due to its alarming appearance and location in gardens. It has no official, regulated pest status.
Control Regulations
The use of any chemical pesticide must comply with the directions on the APVMA-approved label.
Professional Requirements
Commercial pest controllers must hold a current license from their state or territory's environmental regulator.
Environmental Considerations
This is a native species. While not protected, non-chemical and targeted control methods are preferred to minimise impact on the local ecosystem. Avoid spray drift into non-target areas.
Compliance Requirements
- Using only APVMA-approved products.
- Strict adherence to product label instructions.
- State licensing for pest control professionals.
- Avoiding environmental contamination, particularly of waterways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is that weird silk tube on my rock wall?
If you've found a thick, dirty-looking silken tube, about the thickness of a finger, protruding from a crevice in a rock wall, log, or embankment, you have almost certainly found the home of a Tube Spider (*Misgolas robertsi*). This tube is the spider's most identifiable feature and is unique among the large spiders commonly found in Australian gardens. The spider constructs this tube as an extension of its main underground burrow. It serves as a camouflaged watchtower and a trap. The spider waits just inside the tube's entrance at night, sensing vibrations from passing prey like crickets or beetles. When an unsuspecting insect wanders too close, the spider lunges out, captures it, and drags it back inside to eat. The tube is made of strong silk mixed with soil and debris, making it tough and well-camouflaged. While it might look alarming, it's a fascinating piece of natural architecture. Seeing the tube is a definitive sign of this specific spider.
Are Tube Spiders dangerous?
Tube Spiders are not considered medically dangerous to humans. They belong to the same family as trapdoor spiders, and their venom is not potent enough to cause serious harm to people or pets. However, they are large spiders with powerful, downward-striking fangs. A defensive bite would be mechanically painful, causing a deep puncture wound that would hurt considerably. The venom itself would likely only lead to localised effects such as sharp pain, swelling, and redness around the bite. Systemic symptoms are very rare and mild if they do occur. They are not aggressive and will always prefer to retreat into their burrow. A bite would only occur if the spider was physically provoked, trapped against the skin, or its burrow was being dug up. The main health risk, as with any cut or puncture, is a potential secondary bacterial infection if the wound is not cleaned properly. Caution is advised, but panic is unnecessary.
How do I get rid of a Tube Spider?
Getting rid of a Tube Spider can be done in a few ways. For a single, known burrow, the most direct and permanent method is physical removal. This involves using a spade or trowel to destroy the tube and then carefully dig out the underground burrow to remove the spider. This is highly effective but requires care. For a more hands-off approach, a registered household insecticide can be applied. Spraying a surface insecticide directly into and around the entrance of the tube can kill the resident spider. For a broader problem, such as multiple burrows or to stop wandering males in autumn, a professional pest controller is the best option. They can apply a more potent, longer-lasting chemical barrier on and around structures like retaining walls, and also treat the perimeter of your home to intercept males before they get inside. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is most effective, combining targeted removal or treatment with habitat modification, such as sealing cracks in walls and removing debris that provides shelter.
How can I tell a Tube Spider from a Funnel-Web?
This is a critical distinction to make. The easiest way is to look at their home. The Tube Spider builds a very obvious, above-ground silk tube extending from its burrow. A Funnel-Web builds a web that is shaped like a funnel, usually with trip-lines radiating out from the entrance, and it doesn't have a solid, extended tube. If you see the spider itself, a Funnel-Web is typically glossy black, whereas a Tube Spider is usually a dull or slightly shiny brown. The most definitive physical feature is at the rear of the spider: Funnel-webs have two long, finger-like spinnerets that are very obvious. A Tube Spider's spinnerets are short and not easily visible. While you should never get close enough to a live spider to check, if you find a dead specimen, this feature is a clear giveaway. Given the extreme danger of Funnel-webs, if you have any doubt whatsoever, treat the spider with extreme caution and assume it is a Funnel-web until proven otherwise by an expert.
Why am I seeing these spiders in autumn?
If you are suddenly seeing large, brown, Tube-Spider-like spiders wandering around your property in autumn, especially after rain, you are almost certainly encountering mature males. The females and juveniles live sedentary lives and stay within their tube burrows year-round. However, once a male spider reaches sexual maturity (after about 4-6 years), its sole purpose becomes finding a mate. In autumn, triggered by cooler temperatures and rainfall, these males leave their burrows for the first and last time. They wander, often for considerable distances, in search of the pheromones released by receptive females. This is why you might find them in unexpected places like inside your house, in the garage, or trapped in the swimming pool. Their presence indicates that there is a resident population of females in the area, likely in nearby retaining walls, rockeries, or garden embankments. This seasonal wandering is a natural part of their lifecycle.
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