Spiderzrule

Funnel weaver spiders (Agelenidae) closely resemble wolf spiders and the males sometimes resemble hobo spiders. They can usually be distinguished from wolf spiders because wolf spiders do not build webs. Funnel weavers are also usually lighter in build than wolf spiders. Many common funnel weaver are also characterized by having very bristly legs. Most are brown, with gray, black, and tan markings. Like all spiders, funnel weavers have 8 legs, 2 body parts (cephalothorax and abdomen), and no antennae. All spiders in this family have 8 eyes. They may be recognized by the arrangement of their eight eyes into three rows. The top row has two eyes, the middle row has four eyes, and the bottom row has two eyes (spaced wider than the ones on the top row). They also have two prominent hind spinnerets, and somewhat indistinct bands on their legs. Normally spiders spinnerets cannot be easily seen without turning the spider over but in grass spiders they are quite prominent. The males also have large pedipalps which are prominent. These spiders are commonly called "Grass Spiders" because they build funnel-shaped webs, which are not sticky, close to the ground. The spider hides in the narrow end of this funnel, which is usually protected by leaves or rocks. When an insect, spider, or other small creature crosses the wide end of the funnel, the spider feels the vibration and rushes out to grab the prey. Funnel weaver and grass spiders are incredibly quick, and can dash from the protected part of their web to the other end at lightning speed. Funnel weaver and grass spiders are beneficial predators. They very rarely leave their webs, so they don't often enter homes. They will only bite if provoked, and are not considered dangerous. Their venom is hemotoxic but is much less than severe than the Brown Recluse. The most common symptoms are local swelling, redness and itching. All photos are copyright to their owners and may not be reproduced without permission. Please choose a section.

Unidentified Spiders 2010 (1)
Unidentified Spiders 2009 (1)	Unidentified Spiders 2009 (2)	Unidentified Spiders 2008 (1)
Unidentified Spiders 2008 (2)	Unidentified Spiders 2007 (1)	Unidentified Spiders 2007 (2)
Unidentified Spiders 2007 (3)	Unidentified Spiders 2006 (1)	Unidentified Spiders 2006 (2)
Unidentified Spiders 2006 (3)	Unidentified Spiders 2005 (2)	Unidentified Spiders 2005 (3)
Unidentified Spiders 2005 (1)	Unidentified Spiders 2004 (1)	Unidentified Spiders 2004 (2)
Unidentified Spiders 2003	Unidentified Spiders 2002	Unidentified Spiders 2001
Spiders in Amber	Closeups	.Ant Mimicking Spiders
Argiopes/St. Andrew's Cross	Barn Funnel Weaving Spider	Basilica Spiders
Black House Spiders	Brown Recluse Spiders	Candy Stripe Spiders
Common House Spider	Crab Spiders	Cyclosa Conica
Daddy Long Legs	Daring Jumping Spiders	Fishing Spiders
Furrow Spider	Funnel Web (Aus)	Garden Orb Weavers
Giant House Spider	Golden Orb Weavers	Grass spiders/Funnel Weavers
Ground Spiders	Hacklemesh Weavers	Hobo Spiders
Huntsman Spiders	Jewelled Spiders	Jumping Spiders
Leaf Curling Spiders	Long Jawed Orb Weavers	Lynx Spiders
Marbled Orb Weavers	Micarathena	Mouse Spiders
Mygalomorphs	Net casting Spider	Nursery Web Spiders
Parson Spiders	Pirate Spiders	Pseudoscorpion
Purseweb Spider	Redback Spiders	Red Spotted Ant Mimic Spiders
Running Crab Spiders	Solfugids/Camel Spiders	Southern House Spiders
Spider Tats	Spitting Spiders	Steatoda
Tailless Whip Scorpions	Tarantulas	Trapdoor Spiders
Venusta Orchard Spiders	Wandering Spiders	White Tailed Spiders
Widow Spiders	Wolf Spiders	Woodlouse Hunters
Yellow & Broad faced Sac Spiders

AGELENIDAE - FUNNEL WEAVERS

2003 - 2008

2009 - 2010

15 August, 2010:
Hi, I took this photo a few days ago in South Central Kentucky. It is a great photo, you can use it as you wish. Thanks, Renee
Click for a larger view.

31 July, 2010:
Hello again I have another spider question. Just a recap I live in southern Indiana and found this spider hiding in a box of cereal bars. I was able to get a few pictures of it. I thank you for the last time you and I thank you for any light you can shine on this type of spider. The size of this one was about the size of a quarter, but we mostly find smaller spiders like this one. Thank you very much, Andrew

Reply: Could be a funnel web weaver - glen

28 June, 2010:
Spider that I can't identify

26 April, 2010:
Glen, Here are some pictures of the spider i was telling you about. I hope this helps you identify it. I found it in the garage while I was moving some boxes. Again I live in Jacksonville North Carolina which is considered a coastal region. I have seen several funnel weavers and black widows around my property so i just want to make sure these are poisoness. Thanks for your help, Angela

3 January, 2010:
Hi Glen, Great website -- thanks. Here's a couple of spiders that I can't identify from my yard. I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I apologize for the lack of clarity in my pictures, I'm still learning to use the macro setting on my camera. The spider on my back "porch" was very shy -- this was the best I could get. The "porch" is just a wooden platform about 6 inches high, 3 feet wide and about 2 feet deep, as a step down from the house, and sits on concrete. This spider was there all summer, and the web got pretty big, as you can see by the leaf in the foreground and embedded in the web closer to the spider. Those are the eyes glowing. I've attached one photo that shows a longer view, so you can see the scale of size. The other one was in my garden, and the body is not very big -- maybe about the diameter of a pea, or a little smaller. And.. I believe I've identified the last spider correctly, as a grass spider, thanks to your website. Let me know if I'm wrong! Thanks for your help. -- Sue

Reply: These are grass spiders/ funnelweavers - glen

Reply: This is a grass spider - glen
23 December, 2009:
Thanks Glen It's small, which is why I didn't know if it would fit in the wolf family. I will keep an eye on it, and I'm sure eventually, it will give me a better view of the front. I will try to get the eyes. Isn't that what they say? The eyes have it?

11 December, 2009:
Hi Glen! I am alternately fascinated and terrified by spiders, so I love your website! I have found several of these little guys hanging out in my apartment lately, and I'm pretty sure they're just grass/funnel weaver spiders because of the spinnerets. Is that right? Sorry if the pictures aren't that great.. neither is my camera! I'm in Denver, Colorado. Thanks so much! - Christina

Reply: This is not a hobo spider web it is a grass spider. You can see the spider in the lower part of the web - glen
11 October, 2009:
Also..we have these types of webs in our yard- do these look like hobo webs?? Thx!

Reply: This is a grass spider - glen
11 October, 2009:
Hi Glen, Love your site - I've used it to identify (hopefully correctly) the last 3 spiders in our home - thank you! I'm sending you the last three photos to double check with what I think they are - the first one (found today) IMG242 I have no clue on. In your opinion - (I live on the second floor of an apt building in Ohio) - should I have pest control come? Three different spiders in 2 months? We have one toddler at home and I just want to be on the safe side. Thank you! Collette

Reply: This is also a grass spider but is only identifiable by the spinnerets at the back of its abdomen - glen
10 October, 2009:
Hi Glen, Your website is so interesting!! I found a spider yesterday nestled be=ween the siding of our house and the first post of our balcony (which is elevated about 20ft in the air) From the information I found on your sight I=m presuming that this is a Funnel Weaver or Grass Spider. It is very quick and has the two large spinnerets, both things your site indicated were charasteristics of the Funnel Weaver. It has constructed a thick funnel like web but it isn't in the grass or close to the ground at all. This still has me questioning what type of spider this is. The Hobo Spider and the Funnel Weaver are so similar looking that I am looking for a concrete answer from someone who would know. Also, it is situated extremely close to the web of another spider which I have identified as a Spotted Orb Weaver and I didn't know if this was a common occurance. I live in North Stonington, CT in a very rural and woodsey area. Thank you for any information you can give me. Best, Lauren

Reply: This is also a grass spider but is only identifiable by the spinnerets at the back of its abdomen - glen
22 September, 2009:
Hi Glen, I was wondering if you could possibly identify a spider I found in my bathroom. I think it’s a Brown Recluse. Problem is, I’m in New York City, and it definitely should not be wondering around here lol. It was found hiding behind the bathroom door. When I closed the door, it ran over and hid behind the toilet brush holder. Please see the attached pictures. Thanks immensely for the help! -Chris

Reply: This is actually a grass spider/funnel weaver which looks a lot like a wolf spider except for the 2 long spinnerets at the back of the abdomen. It is also probably a male because of the large ends on his pedipalps. The 2 photos below are probably of the female in her web - glen
21 September, 2009:
Then our newest addition. Actually, Cuddles caught her. I named her Maxine. Huge wolf spider - Liz, Tim, Taylor and Gabrielle

12 September, 2009:
Hello Glen! Thanx so much for the VERY informative website. As many have already mentioned, its a great way to learn about out 8 legged buddies. I do have a question though :) [Dont we all!] Ive noticed a few of these "funnel weavers" in my back garden. I live east county San Diego. lately its been VERY hot here. My little doggie likes to go to this particular 'spider spot' to pee and I just dont want to have to get rid of this little guy/girl if it isnt harmless. I also dont want my dog to be bitten as this thing lives right close to the ground...I attached a few pics. Sorry they arent clearer. The one showing the actual spider was taken at night. The others I am way too afraid to get my hand/camera close to so they are a little blurry!! Thanx for taking the time to read my email. Gina

28 August, 2009:
Hey I thought you might enjoy these. I ran across your website and I think it's pretty awesome. I have some good ones of a catface somewhere. I'll send them when I find them.

23 August, 2009:
I am sendin a few pictures of a spider I found in my kid's bedroom a few months ago. I tried putting a description of it on google but didn't find anything. I found your site while looking for info on another spider (sun spider). Can you help? Is it in the wolf spider family? Amber From Kingman, Arizona, USA

29 March, 2009:
Hello, I found this spider on my kitchen wall. I'm from Pennsylvania and never seen a spider this size in my house before. I'm a little worried because it got away before i could catch it.

Click for a larger view.

Reply: I'd say it is a grass spider, would be good to maybe let it go outside which is where they like to be. glen
17 January, 2009:
Hi there. I live in Northern Utah and have a number of spiders come inside to visit. We keep the jumpers since we also seem to have Yellow Sacs and Sowbug eaters. I managed to get a few good shots with the macro setting on a digital point and shoot. The first is a grass spider, I think. It made a web on the bathroom counter that kept it off the surface and gave it a hole to hide in behind the GF’s make up case. With legs out, I’d guess it was about 1.5 in (3.5 cm) across. Also, feel free to use any of these pictures as you see fit. Bill.