Spider Homepage

Agelenidae—Funnel Weavers
      Grass Spiders (Agelenopsis species)
      Barn Funnel Weaver (Tegenaria domestica)

Amaurobiidae—Hackledmesh Weavers
      Hackledmesh Weavers (Amaurobius and
      Callobius species)

Araneidae—Orbweavers
      Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
      Banded Garden Spider (Argiope trifasciata)
      Marbled Orbweaver (Araneus marmoreus)
      Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus)

Clubionidae—Sac Spiders
      Broad-Faced Sac Spider (Trachelas tranquillus)

Dysderidae—Dysderid Spiders
      Woodlouse Hunter (Dysdera crocata)

Lycosidae—Wolf Spiders
      Wolf Spiders (Hogna [previously known
      as Lycosa] species)

Miturgidae—Prowling Spiders
      Agrarian Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium  inclusum)
     and Longlegged Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium mildei)

Pisauridae—Nursery Web Spiders
      Fishing Spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus)

Pholcidae—Cellar or Daddylonglegs Spiders
      Longbodied Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)

Salticidae—Jumping Spiders
      Bold Jumper (Phidippus audax)

Sicariidae—Sixeyed Sicariid Spiders
      Brown Recluse Spiders (Loxosceles reclusa
      and other Loxosceles species)

Theridiidae—Cobweb Weavers
      Common House Spider (Achaearanea tepidariorum)
      Southern Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans)
      False Black Widow (Steatoda grossa)

Spider Management

Glossary

References

Photographs courtesy of Steven Jacobs.
Male brown recluse spider photograph
courtesy of Rick Vetters.

Prepared by Steven Jacobs,
senior extension associate in
urban/public health entomology.

Grass Spiders
(Agelenopsis species)

Grass spiders are very common in Pennsylvania and can be recognized by the large, somewhat concave, mostly horizontal, sheet-like web with a funnel or tunnel located off to one side. The webs are found on grass, weeds, and ground covers such as ivy, pachysandra, or periwinkle, and in numerous exterior places such as fencerows, bushes, and brush piles. Homeowners frequently see these fast-moving spiders indoors in the autumn as the spiders seek protection from falling temperatures.

       
Description

Grass spiders can be identified by their distinctive webs, the dorsal markings on the carapace and abdomen, and the greatly elongated hind spinnerets. Females are from 10 to 20 millimeters and the males from 9 to 18 millimeters in length. The carapace is yellow-brown to brown with a pair of darker, longitudinal bands extending back from the lateral eyes, and another pair of very thin lines located one on each side of the carapace. The abdomen is generally darker than the carapace and has a lighter median band, sometimes with a scalloped edge. The legs are frequently annulated, darker at the distal ends of the segments.

Life History/Behavior

The female deposits a lens-shaped, white egg sac in the late summer to fall. The eggs hatch in the spring and, after a series of molts, become adults in late summer. Although it is common to find these spiders entering structures in the fall, the adults do not overwinter.

As previously mentioned, the webs are found in many locations and serve as both a platform on which the spider captures prey and as a retreat in which the spiders can remain hidden. The grass spider web is
not sticky but relies upon a network of threads above the sheet to divert or impede insect flight, causing them to fall onto the sheet, where they are captured
by the rapidly running grass spider.

Medical Importance

There is no evidence that grass spider bites are medically important.

*** Disclaimer ***

Authored by: Steve Jacobs, Sr. Extension Associate

March 2002
Revised 2006

© The Pennsylvania State University 2006
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
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