Common House Sac Spider

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.