Fauna
Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2139668

Potter's Grass Spider

Agelenopsis potteri

Potter's grass spiders weave dense, non-sticky sheet webs leading into a protected tubular retreat among low vegetation, foundation cracks, and woodpiles. When prey lands on the flat expanse, the spider detects vibrations and dashes out with blistering speed to bite and subdue the insect before dragging it back into the funnel. Autumn brings mature males wandering in search of mates, a courtship ritual involving precise palpal tapping to avoid being mistaken for prey.

Web BuilderNocturnalBeneficial Predator
Potter's Grass Spider reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Arsen Vorobei, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • House flies
  • Field crickets
  • Moths
Predators
  • Insectivorous birds
  • Spider wasps
  • Toads
ThreatsPesticide application and widespread habitat clearing
HabitatsMeadows, grasslands, garden borders, woodpiles, and building foundations
Life spanAbout 1 year
Classification
  1. FamilyAgelenidae
  2. SpeciesAgelenopsis potteri
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Bites are rare and medically trivial; safe to observe up close.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting webs: Look for dew-covered sheet webs across lawn edges and low shrubs on cool mornings.
  • Gentle observation: Lightly vibrating the outer web with a blade of grass can tempt the spider out of its funnel.
  • Handling: Best left undisturbed on their webs; while docile, they move exceptionally fast when startled.
Related species
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