Funnel-Web Spider

Agelenopsis

Image taken in near Mesquite Wash, Four Peaks foothills, Maricopa Co., Arizona. 2002.

Agelenidae -- Funnel-Web Spider Family

Mesquite bosques in the Sonoran Desert are the most likely place to find funnel-web spiders. On a chilly, damp morning (a rare event here) the webs suddenly are easily visible as droplets of dew collect on the fine silk. Usually the webs are close to the ground with the tunnel-retreat built into a vegetation-fortified crevice.

If you look at the the funnel web spider's trampoline from the side you will see a lattice of fine silk threads criss-crossing overhead. These guy wires serve to knock passing airborne insects onto the web below. With astonishing speed, the spider rushes out to gather victims before they can regain flight.

More Information:

• Bugguide.net Univ. of Iowa
• Spider Pharm - toxin information
• Google Images
• Google Scholar Literature Search