Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2139669
Grass Spider
Agelenopsis naeviaAlso known as American Grass Spider, Funnel Weaver, Sheet Web Spider
Grass spiders build horizontal, non-sticky sheet webs that taper into a narrow funnel retreat where they wait out of sight for vibration cues. When an insect lands on the sheet, the spider darts out at remarkable speed, delivers a swift immobilizing bite, and drags its prey inside to consume. Adults feature prominent dark longitudinal stripes along the cephalothorax and elongated, two-segmented spinnerets extending past the tip of the abdomen.
ArachnidWeb WeaverFast Runner
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasshoppers
- Flies
- Crickets
Predators
- Birds
- Spider wasps
- Toads
ThreatsPesticide application and habitat loss
HabitatsGrassy fields, lawns, meadows, low shrubs
Life span1 year
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAraneae
- FamilyAgelenidae
- GenusAgelenopsis
- SpeciesAgelenopsis naevia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to humans; safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Dew Spotting: Look for dew-laden horizontal sheet webs glistening on lawns during early morning hours.
- Vibration Cue: Gently touch a blade of grass to the outer sheet web to watch the spider quickly emerge.
- Gentle Observation: Avoid poking or collapsing the funnel retreat where the spider seeks shelter.
Competitor no rights reserved, uploaded by Mirko Schoenitz · cc0
Predator (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Tone Killick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tone Killick · cc-by
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