Fauna
Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2139669

Grass Spider

Agelenopsis naevia

Also 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
Grass Spider reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Curtis Burke, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Grasshoppers
  • Flies
  • Crickets
Predators
  • Birds
  • Spider wasps
  • Toads
ThreatsPesticide application and habitat loss
HabitatsGrassy fields, lawns, meadows, low shrubs
Life span1 year
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyAgelenidae
  3. GenusAgelenopsis
  4. SpeciesAgelenopsis naevia
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
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.
Related species
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