Spiders of North Carolina

Arachnids of North Carolina

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

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

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Distribution Records
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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 naevia has a relatively stable taxonomic history, having been originallly described as Agelena naevia by Walckenaer, 1841. It changed names a few times in the 19th Century, but has been stable 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. naevia is usually found in open fields, on shrubs and bushes, as well as on stone walls, rock outcrops and along roads

id_comments

This is probably the most common as well as the largest and darkest of our 5 known NC Agelenopsis species. The abdomen is often brown and lacking distinct markings. It also often lacks the "V" shaped sternum markings and typically has an indistinct ventral abdominal band characteristic of some of our other species. It does usually have distinct annuli on the legs.

total_length

Females 16-20mm; males 13-17mm

structural_features

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

silk_web

Typically a slightly concave, horizontal sheet up to 3 feet across, and 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

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

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

road, rock outcrops, stone walls open fields, shrubs and bushes; funnel/sheet web

observation_methods

state_protection

NHP_ranks

NHP_status

status_comments

Photo Gallery for Agelenopsis naevia a grass spider
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Chatham Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger Richmond Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Erin Fisher Mecklenburg Co. Comment: First photo was feeding on a mantis, second confirmation photo was 3 days later in same location, same individual
	Recorded by: Erin Fisher Mecklenburg Co. Comment: First photo was feeding on a mantis, second confirmation photo was 3 days later in same location, same individual	Recorded by: Rodric Davie Co. Comment: Found one hiding in a corner inside a building behind a pile of stuff. Found another last year in the same room hiding in the same manner.
	Recorded by: Rodric Davie Co. Comment: Found one hiding in a corner inside a building behind a pile of stuff. Found another last year in the same room hiding in the same manner.	Recorded by: Rodric Davie Co. Comment: Found one hiding in a corner inside a building behind a pile of stuff. Found another last year in the same room hiding in the same manner.
	Recorded by: Donald Zepp Johnston Co. Comment: Female in large funnel web at base of tree	Recorded by: J. Perry Stokes Co. Comment: HARO - Funnel Spider @ -80.268645, 36.389032
	Recorded by: J. Mickey Wilkes Co. Comment: STMO	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Halifax Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Wayne Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Vin Stanton Buncombe Co. Comment: found on porch early morning	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn McDowell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Stokes Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Stokes Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Orange Co. Comment:	Recorded by: J.Phillips Stokes Co. Comment: HARO
	Recorded by: J.Phillips Stokes Co. Comment: HARO	Recorded by: J. Mickey Wilkes Co. Comment: STMO - Along old horse trail on north side of Combs Knob and west of Martin's Low Gap. Also called a funnel web spider. - Funnel Web spider @ -81.038697, 36.372731
	Recorded by: E. Corey, B. Anderson Wake Co. Comment: WIUM - Obs. female outside Visitor Center.

Photo Gallery for Agelenopsis naevia a grass spider