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Grass spider

Agelenopsis sp.

Description:

The American grass spiders are members of the genus Agelenopsis. They weave sheet webs that have a funnel shelter on one edge. The web is not sticky, but these spiders make up for that shortcoming by running very rapidly. They may be recognized by the arrangement of their eight eyes into three rows. The larger specimens (depending on species) can get up to approximately 19 mm in body length. The top row has two eyes, the middle row has four eyes, and the bottom row has two eyes (spaced wider than the ones on the top row). They also have two prominent hind spinnerets, and somewhat indistinct bands on their legs. They also have two dark bands running down either side of the cephalothorax. Agelenopsis aperta, the American funnel-web spider, produces agatoxins. Their bite causes rapid paralysis in insect prey, although the spider's Chelicerae are too small to penetrate human skin.

Notes:

I accidentally flushed out this rather handsome spider while I was watering plants. I couldn't find an exact match on bugguide but i'm reasonably confident it is a grass spider - unless anyone has any other suggestions!

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1 Comment

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Added to new Spiders of Tennessee mission - http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/9135...

KarenL
Spotted by
KarenL

Tennessee, USA

Spotted on Oct 26, 2011
Submitted on Oct 26, 2011

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