Spatulate Funnelweb Spider
Agelenopsis spatula
This record describes Agelenopsis spatula (species). Recorded family: Agelenidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Agelenopsis spatula is a species of funnel weaver in the spider family Agelenidae. It is found in the United States.
Identification notes
Palp--Note spatulate tip to embolus. Epigynum
Wikipedia reference for Agelenopsis spatula: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agelenopsis spatula.
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 west to Colorado and south to Texas and New Mexico
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Agelenopsis spatula. 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 Spatulate Funnelweb Spider (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chad Heins; Additional contributions by Jeff Hollenbeck
Frequently Asked Questions About Spatulate Funnelweb Spider
What is Spatulate Funnelweb Spider?
Spatulate Funnelweb Spider (Agelenopsis spatula) is a species in the family Agelenidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Spatulate Funnelweb Spider?
Palp--Note spatulate tip to embolus. Epigynum
Where is Spatulate Funnelweb Spider found?
Range: Kansas west to Colorado and south to Texas and New Mexico