Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Agelenidae Members: NC Records

Agelenopsis pennsylvanica - a grass spider

Agelenopsis pennsylvanicaAgelenopsis pennsylvanica
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Agelenidae                                                                                 
Comments: Agelenopsis pennsylvanica has enjoyed a relatively stable taxonomic history since having been originally described as Agelena pennsylvanica by C.L. Koch, 1843. It changed names a few times in the 19th Century, but has remained in Agelenopsis since 1941.
Species Comment: The 5 Agelenopsis species reported from NC "resemble each other closely in general appearance. Even in the same species there is much variation in size and some in depth of color. Our [five] known species can only be distinguished with certainty only by a comparison of the genitalia." (Kaston, 1948)

The NC species can, however, be distinguished with some accuracy by noting their differing habitats: A. pennsylvanica is usually found in old fields, meadows, grassy areas, and occasionally in open woods and on human structures.

Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Kaston, B. J. (1948). Spiders of Connecticut. Bulletin of the Connecticut State Geological and Natural History Survey 70: 1-874.
Comments: This is the grayist of our 5 known NC species. The abdomen is often a variegated brown, with a lighter, often rusty-colored central band distinct markings. Has a distinct, dusky "V" shaped sternum marking and a broad, dark ventral abdominal band darker than those of our other species.
Total Length: Females 10-17mm; males 9-12mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Structural Features: Click to see a comparison of the genitalia of the 5 Agelenopsis species reported in NC
Structural photos
Agelenopsis pennsylvanica
Whitman-Zai, J., Francis, M., Geick, M. and Cushing, P. E. (2015). Revision and morphological phylogenetic analysis of the funnel web spider genus Agelenopsis (Araneae: Agelenidae). Journal of Arachnology 43: 1-25
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Widespread through northern states, less common in the south.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Agelenopsis pennsylvanica
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: old field, meadows, grassy areas, occasionally in open woods and on human structures; funnel/sheet web
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: Typically a slightly concave, horizontal sheet, and having at one end a tube that serves as a retreat for the web's denizen; the tube's being open at both ends, it also serves as an emergency exit. The webbing is not sticky: instead, the spider relies on its quickness to seize prey that falls or blunders onto its web.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Agelenopsis pennsylvanica - a grass spider

Photos: 41

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-08-15
Ashe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-08-15
Ashe Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-22
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-22
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-11-03
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-15
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-14
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-23
Mitchell Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-23
Mitchell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-23
Mitchell Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-19
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-19
Rowan Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-16
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2023-10-11
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Angel Hamby on 2023-07-27
Alexander Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Angel Hamby on 2023-07-27
Alexander Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-05-16
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2021-10-02
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2021-10-02
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-09-29
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2021-04-24
Rowan Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2020-10-14
Granville Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2020-10-07
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2020-09-16
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. McRae on 2020-07-23
Swain Co.
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Recorded by: B. McRae on 2020-05-18
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, Kyle Kittelberger on 2020-05-13
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-06-04
Alleghany Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams on 2018-12-25
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2018-09-08
Iredell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-10-08
Stanly Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-09-09
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2015-06-17
Watauga Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2015-06-05
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.Phillips on 2015-05-28
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2015-05-19
Stokes Co.
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