Spiders of North Carolina

Arachnids of North Carolina

Order:
Scientific Name: Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

Agelenopsis kastoni - a grass spider Agelenidae Members:			NC Records	BugGuide Account	Public View

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Distribution Records
PDF

Vetting Levels

Adult phenology:
High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
Piedmont (Pd)
Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge

synonym

taxonomic_comments

Agelenopsis kastoni has a stable taxonomic history, having been described as such by Chamberlin & Ivie, 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. kastoni is usually found in mature forest, funnel in low branches; they have been captured in pitfall traps in pine stands with young hardwoods.

id_comments

A. kastoni is grayish in color with a broad dark band on the abdominal venter that my be represented by two dark lines bordering a light area (similar to A. emertoni, q.v.). A "V" shaped mark on its sternum is indistinct.

total_length

females 9-11mm; males 8-9mm

structural_features

Click to see acomparison of the genitalia of the 5 Agelenopsis species reported in NC

silk_web

Typically a slightly concave, horizontal sheet having at one end a tube that serves as a retreat for the web's denizen, and, 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.

fld_guide_descriptions

online_photos

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=212719

prey

predators

behavior

distribution_reference

technical_reference

Kaston, B. J. (1948). Spiders of Connecticut. Bulletin of the Connecticut State Geological and Natural History Survey 70: 1-874.

adult_id

1 identifiable by photo 2 identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info 3 identifiable from specimen only

abundance

distribution_comments

Durham Co., Duke Forest, Kerley Rd;

checklist_mt_high
>=4,000 ft.

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom	Frequency Regular – almost always observed on given visit; >=90% chance of observation Frequent – usually observed on a given visit; >=50%<90% chance of observation Infrequent – observed less than 50% of visits; >=25%<50% chance of observation Occasional – observed on only on a small minority of visits; >=10%<25% chance of observation Seldom – not usually seen on visits; <10% chance of observation These terms refer to visits to appropriate habitats made at appropriate times of the year, making use of common sampling/observation methods. Under those conditions, Frequency refers to the chance of observing at least one individual on a given visit made anywhere within a particular region, or over multiple visits to a single site.

checklist_mt_low
<4,000 ft.

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

checklist_pd
Piedmont

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

checklist_cp
Coastal Plain

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

habitat

mature forest, funnel in low branches; captured in pitfall trap in pine stand with young hardwoods

observation_methods

state_protection

NHP_ranks

NHP_status

status_comments

Photo Gallery for Agelenopsis kastoni a grass spider
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Chatham Co. Comment: White Pines Survey	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Avery Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Avery Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Alleghany Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Alleghany Co. Comment:

Photo Gallery for Agelenopsis kastoni a grass spider