Arachnids of North Carolina
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View AGELENIDAE Members: NC Records

Agelenopsis unidentified species - No Common Name


Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEFamily: AGELENIDAE                                                                                 
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)
Identification
Online Description/Photos: Agelenid species can be differentiated from other sheet web-making families by the following: Amaurobiidae and the NC Dictynidae are cribellate, which Agelenidae are not. They can also be differentiated by some other families (Cybaeidae, Hahniidae, and Miturgidae) by their particular spinneret sizes and arrangements. BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Total Length: The 5 species known to occur in NC range in size from 8-11mm (emertoni) to 16-20mm (naevia) for the females and 8-9mm (Kastoni) to 13-17mm (naevia) for the malesAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Structural Features: The family Agelenidae resembles wolf spiders (Lycosidae), but has a different eye pattern, and notably long spinnerets; furthermore, agelenid spiders form sheet capture webs, while the Lycosidae make no such web, being active hunters. A comparison of the genitalia of the 5 Agelenopsis species reported in NC can be found at http://zeppmusic.com/Agelenidae/Genitalia_illustrations/
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Widespread, and species found coast-to-coast.
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:
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: Usually a non-sticky, horizontal sheet with a tubular retreat.
Behavior: The spiders are very sensitive to vibrations on their non-sticky webs, and rush out from their tubular retreats to seize prey. Those retreats are open on both ends, and they readily use the "rear exit" to avoid predators.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Agelenopsis unidentified species - No common name

Photos: 9

Recorded by: H. Quay on 2021-08-20
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-08-12
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2019-05-07
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2018-11-02
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2018-11-02
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2018-11-02
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2017-09-22
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2017-09-22
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2017-09-22
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: