Climate change drives spider species expansion in Germany and Austria

Spiders previously native to southern regions are increasingly being observed in Germany and Austria, a trend experts link to climate change.

In Germany, the Nosferatu spider (Zoropsis spinimana) is appearing more frequently in homes, garages, and balconies. Experts note that sightings often peak during the mating season in autumn, as the spiders seek shelter in basements or attics to overwinter. Dr. Arnold Staniczek from the Stuttgart Natural History Museum describes the species as a “winner of climate change.” While the spiders can cause stress to residents, experts emphasize they are largely harmless to humans and typically only bite if provoked.

In Austria, the Wasp spider has also established a presence, favoring sunny habitats with long grass. The Naturschutzbund Österreich is currently encouraging citizens to participate in “citizen science” by uploading photos of the spiders to help researchers track the species' distribution and prevalence across the country.