Agelenidae

Funnel weavers are a large family of spiders.

These spiders are very fast runners. They run across their webs to catch food. They feel vibrations on the web. This tells them if a bug has landed.

When a bug lands, the spider rushes out. It uses a quick bite to stop the prey. Then, the spider drags the food back home.

Most of these spiders have eight eyes. Their bodies often have lines and spots. Some spiders even live together in big groups. They can be very interesting neighbors to watch.

Funnel weavers are a large family of spiders. There are 1,694 different species in this group. Most of these spiders build a flat sheet of web. This web is not sticky. Instead, it has many fine threads. These threads catch on the legs or bodies of bugs. The web also has a funnel-shaped retreat on one side. The spider hides inside this funnel.

These spiders are very fast runners. They can feel vibrations on their web. This tells them if a bug has landed. They also react to light and moving air. When prey arrives, the spider rushes out at high speed. It gives a quick bite with venom to stop the bug. Then, the spider drags the meal back to its retreat.

Most funnel weavers have eight eyes. These eyes sit in two rows of four. Their bodies often have lines or spots. Some species in Africa even live in big groups. They build webs together and help catch food. These social spiders also raise their young together.

Funnel weavers are a large and interesting family of spiders. Scientists call this group Agelenidae. You might know some of them as grass spiders. They are very important members of the spider world. These spiders come in many different sizes. The smallest ones have a body length of only 1 millimeter. Larger species can grow much bigger. One huge species, Eratigena atrica, can have a very wide leg span. Most of these spiders have eight eyes. These eyes sit in two horizontal rows of four.

These spiders have a very clever way of hunting. They build a flat sheet of web that is not sticky. Instead, the web is full of many fine, entangling threads. The spider keeps laying these threads down as it runs over the web. These threads catch on the tiny parts of an insect's body. The web is also very springy. The spider waits in a funnel-shaped retreat on the side of the sheet. It feels vibrations from anything that touches the web. This could be a meal, a mate, or a danger.

When a spider feels a meal, it moves with incredible speed. Most Agelenids are very fast runners on their webs. The giant house spider was even a record holder for speed. It held a Guinness Book of World Records title until 1987. The spider rushes out to give a venomous bite. This bite uses a substance called agatoxin to stop the prey. After the insect is still, the spider drags it into the funnel. This fast way of life helps them catch food before it escapes.

There is a huge variety of these spiders across the globe. The Agelenidae family includes 100 different genera. There are also 1,694 known species in this group. Some live in North America, like the genus Agelenopsis. Others live in Africa, such as the genus Benoitia. You can find them in many places like China, Japan, and Mexico. Some species even live in New Zealand or Australia. This large group shows how well spiders can live in different lands.

Most people see these spiders in their own backyards. In September, some males might even come inside houses. They often hide near windowsills or porch doors. You might think they are pests, but they are usually very selective. They do not eat huge amounts of food. They also tend to go back to their webs if they are disturbed. Some special species in Africa even live in groups. These social spiders build communal webs and help raise their young together.

The Agelenidae are a diverse family of spiders within the suborder Araneomorphae. They are most commonly known as funnel weavers. This name comes from the unique way they build their homes. These spiders play an important role in their ecosystems by controlling insect populations. They are found in many different environments around the world. Some species are quite small, with a body length of only 1 millimeter. Other species are much larger. For example, the species Eratigena atrica can reach a very wide leg span.

Most funnel weavers have a very specific body shape. They possess eight eyes arranged in two horizontal rows of four. Their cephalothorax, which is the front part of the body, narrows toward the eyes. Their abdomens are generally oval in shape. Many species show patterns of lines and spots on their abdomens. Some also have longitudinal lines on the dorsal surface of the cephalothorax. This is a helpful way to tell species apart. For instance, the hobo spider lacks these specific lines.

The hunting mechanism of the Agelenidae is highly specialized. They build a flat, horizontal sheet of web that is not sticky. Instead, the web is filled with entangling filaments. The spider constantly lays these fine threads down as it moves across the sheet. These filaments catch on the small projections or limbs of an insect. The web is also quite springy. The spider waits in a funnel-shaped retreat located on one side of the sheet. It stays alert for vibrations caused by prey, mates, or threats.

Speed is a vital part of how these spiders survive. Most Agelenids are exceptionally fast runners, especially on their webs. The giant house spider was once a world record holder for speed. It held a Guinness Book of World Records title until 1987. When a spider detects prey, it rushes out at high speed. It delivers a paralyzing bite using venom. In the species Agelenopsis aperta, scientists have studied a specific substance in the venom called agatoxin. After the prey is disabled, the spider drags it back into the funnel to feed.

While most Agelenids live alone, some species exhibit social behaviors. The genus Agelena includes certain parasocial spiders found in Africa. One well-known example is Agelena consociata. These spiders live in complex, communal webs. They work together to build webs and capture prey. They also engage in the communal rearing of their young. However, they do not show true eusociality like ants or bees. They do not have different castes, such as sterile workers or soldiers. In these colonies, all females remain reproductive.

The Agelenidae family is incredibly vast and diverse. It contains 100 different genera and 1,694 known species. These spiders live on almost every continent. Genera like Agelenopsis are common in North America. Other groups, such as Benoitia, are found in Africa. You can find various species in places like China, Japan, Mexico, and New Zealand. Some species are even known from fossilized Baltic amber from the Eocene epoch. This shows that the group has a very long history on Earth.

Many people encounter these spiders in their daily lives. In September, outdoor males may seek shelter inside human houses. They often nest under windowsills or near porch doors. Despite being found in homes, they are often not considered pests. They are very selective about what they eat. They do not consume large quantities of food. If they are disturbed, they usually return to their webs. They only abandon their homes if the web is completely destroyed.