[3][a] It is a moderately medically significant spider, with most bites resulting in symptoms similar to a bee or wasp sting.

[5][6] S. nobilis is spotted all year round, both indoors and outdoors in a variety of habitats including cacti, roadside cuttings, and demolished buildings.

[10] Steatoda nobilis has a brown bulbous abdomen with cream coloured markings that are often likened to the shape of a skull.

[18] In January 2016, it was reported that Steatoda nobilis had been found in Chile, the first time that the species had been recorded in the southern hemisphere.

[22] Between 1985 and 2010 there was no reporting of large numbers of S. nobilis anywhere, and scientists consider this to be a typical lag phase that is a phenomenon observed in many invasive species.

[1] In Ireland they have been observed to be restricted to man-made habitats such as on steel, concrete or timber structures in urbanised area and not commonly found in forests or dunes.

[22] In another study conducted in Ireland, the adult spiders were exclusively only found on steel, concrete or timber structures in urban areas.

[7] The distribution of Steatoda nobilis is expected to increase northwards in the UK, due at least partly to mild winters in recent years.

This prediction was reported by Stuart Hine of the Natural History Museum,[25] and is substantiated by the National Recording Scheme.

[27] Steatoda nobilis uses an effective "attack wrap" strategy to immobilise would-be prey or predators, meaning that they are in close contact to their prey/predator.

S. nobilis have been observed biting insects and spiders which causes a rapid reduction in motor function, most likely due to the release of venom.

[22] In southern England, an adult female was observed to haul up and digest a pygmy shrew ten times the spider's size.

[30][31] As with other members of the family Theridiidae, Steatoda nobilis constructs a cobweb which is an irregular tangle of sticky silken fibres.

Its scaffold web differs from others of the genus in the exceptional strength of the silk, and in the tubular retreat that is at least partly concealed in a deep crack or hole.

[5] They have poor eyesight and depend mostly on vibrations reaching them through their webs to orient themselves to prey or warn them of larger animals that could injure or kill them.

[32] S. nobilis presents a unique risk because of their synanthropic habits, especially in temperate regions, that bring them in close contact to humans.

[33] Other symptoms observed in humans after envenomation include prolonged, moderate to intense pain, swelling, erythema,[5] piloerection, diaphoresis, facial flushing, vasodilation of capillaries localized near the site of the bite.

[34] In November 2006, it was reported that a man from Dorchester spent three days in Dorset County Hospital with symptoms of heart seizure, which the doctor attributed to a spider bite.

[35] Bacterial ulceration, a common risk arising from many minor injuries, may be a complication relating to the bite of Steatoda nobilis.

[34] In December 2020, a study by scientists at NUI Galway determined that the noble false widow vectors pathogenic bacteria, and that some are antibiotic resistant.

[36][6] In October 2013, following a Steatoda nobilis bite, a man from London was treated for a bacterial infection with antibiotics and required his leg to be drained of pus.

I also always explain that up to 12 people die from wasp/bee stings in the UK each year and we do not panic so much about wasps and bees – but this never makes it past editing.

"[25] Steven Falk, an entomologist, cautioned that without "hard evidence", it is difficult to know how many of the bites reported in the media have been caused by false widow spiders.

[41] While the media response is often exaggerated, Oxford University zoologist Clive Hambler noted that arachnologists should be careful not to automatically dismiss stories of extreme reactions.

Instead, he argues that they should collaborate with medical professionals to compile these stories, and examine them with a critical eye to better understand the risks posed by bites.