Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Agelenidae Members: NC Records

Barronopsis texana - a funnel weaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Agelenidae                                                                                 
Comments: Originally described as Aglena texana by Gertsch in 1934, it was moved to Agelenopsis, and most recently to Barronopsis by Lehtinen (1967) who "elevated Barronopsis to genus level and, although he provided no rationale" the genus has been retained (Stocks,2009).
Species Comment: The male embolus of the genus is a distinctly and remarkably coiled structure, one of the likely reasons for its generic placement.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide, Google Images, WikipediaTechnical Description: Stocks, I. C. (2009). Systematics and natural history of Barronopsis (Araneae: Agelenidae), with description of a new species. Zootaxa 2270: 1-38
Comments: Coloration variable, generally dusky gray or tan background with light black mottling, occasionally with reddish or burgundy coloration on abdomen. Carapace coloration also variable, from prominent longitudinal black stripe on carapace flanks to series of three or four black wedges or no pattern at all.
Total Length: 8.5-10mm, the sexes being subequal
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Maryland, South to Florida, West to Texas.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
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: Temperate pine-hardwood forests and pine-hemlock forests. Exploits human-made structures and landscapes, and frequently abundant in lower latitudes on picnic tables, wooden handrails and fences, and are locally abundant in higher latitudes and elevations on the sides of buildings and in ornamental bushes.
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: "...typical funnel-web capture platforms: a flat triangular sheet of silk with a tubular retreat in one (usually concealed) corner. The tube invariably assumes a vertical orientation, opening downwards, and which may be curved along its length." (Stocks, 2009)
Status in North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Barronopsis texana - a funnel weaver

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
New Hanover Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Franklin Co.
Comment: Female taken ca. 50cm from male.
Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Franklin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Franklin Co.
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Recorded by: Donald B. ZEPP
Franklin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald B. ZEPP
Franklin Co.
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Recorded by: Donald B. ZEPP
Franklin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Peter Hulth
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Peter Hulth
Johnston Co.
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Recorded by: Peter Hulth
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Durham Co.
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