Western Funnelweb Spider
Agelenopsis aperta
This record describes Agelenopsis aperta (species). Recorded family: Agelenidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
The desert grass spider (Agelenopsis aperta) is a species of spider belonging to the family Agelenidae. It is found in dry regions across the Southern United States and into Mexico.
Identification notes
Palp Epigynum
Wikipedia reference for Agelenopsis aperta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agelenopsis aperta.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Agelenidae (Funnel Weavers)
- Subfamily
- Ageleninae
- Genus
- Agelenopsis (Grass Spiders)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Kansas south to Texas and west to California
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Agelenopsis aperta. 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 Western Funnelweb Spider (7)
Photo credits: Contributed by Sean McCann; Additional contributions by Jeff Hollenbeck , cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Funnelweb Spider
What is Western Funnelweb Spider?
Western Funnelweb Spider (Agelenopsis aperta) is a species in the family Agelenidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Western Funnelweb Spider?
Palp Epigynum
Where is Western Funnelweb Spider found?
Range: Kansas south to Texas and west to California