[1] Common throughout Southern Africa,[2] it has been introduced into other countries and is now present in Australia and throughout New Zealand.

[4] It is thought that in some instances Steatoda capensis can bite humans causing a syndrome known as steatodism; which has been described as a less-severe form of latrodectism.

[7] Steatoda capensis was first described in 1904 as Teutana lepida by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge from specimens collected in South Africa.

[7] Steatoda capensis is native to South Africa but is also found in Australia and New Zealand (where it is especially widespread in the latter).

Because of this, it is possible that S. capensis is slowly displacing katipō spiders from their native habitat, which may be a contributing factor in their declining population.