<P> Steatoda nobilis has a brown bulbous abdomen with cream coloured markings that are often likened to the shape of a skull . The legs are reddish - orange . Females range in size from about 9.5 to 14 mm in size , while males are 7 to 11 mm . Males are able to produce stridulation sounds during courtship , by scraping 10 - 12 teeth on the abdomen against a file on the rear of the carapace . </P>
<P> Steatoda nobilis has a brown bulbous abdomen with cream coloured markings that are often likened to the shape of a skull . The legs are reddish - orange . Females range in size from about 9.5 to 14 mm in size , while males are 7 to 11 mm . Males are able to produce stridulation sounds during courtship , by scraping 10 - 12 teeth on the abdomen against a file on the rear of the carapace . </P>
a spider with a skull on its back
a spider with a skull on its back
Steatoda nobilis
Steatoda nobilis