The Grey House Spider, Badumna longinquus, is very common and are often found in domestic houses. In the bush, Badumna spiders are typically found sheltering in the crevices of rough-barked trees. They prey upon insects such as flies, beetles, butterflies, bees and ants, which in turn are attracted to sap flowing from wood-boring insects attacks. As this is occurring a lot at Manna Park, these spiders are abundant.

Their webs are untidy, lacy silk sheets with funnel-like entrances, found on tree trunks, logs, rock walls, window frames, wall crevices and often on foliage. This example was found in the doorway of a bush toilet.

The photo at bottom right shows a Grey House Spider in its natural habitat, in a bark crevice on a Mountain Grey Gum, Eucalyptus cypellocarpa. It's hard to see the spider because it has turned to face the viewer and backed away, but the circle helps you see where it is. This photo was taken on the Mountain Bike Track, on the opposite side of the gully from Manna Park Hostel.

Click on either of the photos to download a higher resolution image (T.Hastings 13/8/2009)