Agelena labyrinthica
This record describes Agelena labyrinthica (species). Recorded family: Agelenidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Head and body up to 18mm long. The abdomen of the labyrinth spider features a central pale brown stripe with a darker, more greyish band on either side. The darker bands have tiny white dashes or chevron markings running through them. This spider produces a large and distinctive funnel web in low vegetation. Found in long, rough grass, hedgerows and low down on trees. June to October, peaking in July and August. Labyrinth spiders produce a sheet web. It's so thick in places that it appears white in colour. Fairly frequent in England especially in the southern counties and also in Wales. 3,143 British records for this species to the end of 2013.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae
- Family
- Agelenidae
- Genus
- Agelena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in long, rough grass, hedgerows and low down on trees.
Seasonal Activity
June to October, peaking in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Labyrinth spiders produce a sheet web. It's so thick in places that it appears white in colour.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent in England especially in the southern counties and also in Wales.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Agelena labyrinthica. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Agelena labyrinthica (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Agelena labyrinthica
What is Agelena labyrinthica?
Agelena labyrinthica is a species in the family Agelenidae, within the order Araneae.
Where is Agelena labyrinthica found?
Habitat: Found in long, rough grass, hedgerows and low down on trees.
When is Agelena labyrinthica active?
Agelena labyrinthica: seasonal activity - June to October, peaking in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Agelena labyrinthica?
Labyrinth spiders produce a sheet web. It's so thick in places that it appears white in colour.