Funnel weaver, is the most familiar name used for identifying the spiders of this large family known as Agelenidae. Well-known members of this family include the hobo and grass spiders.
Size: Some maybe 5-10cm long (2-3.9 inches) including leg span or too small, being only 4mm long.
Color: The color may vary from one species to the other with the commonest shades being yellow, reddish-brown, black and white.
Other characteristics: The species of this family have eight eyes, arranged horizontally with four on each row. Their abdomen is oval patterned with spots and lines in rows of two. Some members may even possess longitudinal lines on their cephalothorax’s dorsal surface, though this feature is lacking in a few like the Hobo.
The females of the funnel weaver family lay many egg sacs in fall with each of them having about 50 eggs approximately.
The spiderlings hatch in spring and disperse to be on their own on maturation.
It has a non-sticky web having a funnel-like retreat on one side or sometimes in the middle. Though the web lacks adhesive quality, the entangling filaments within helps it in capturing the prey with ease.
Most spiders belonging to the Agelenidae family may bite if provoked though they are considered harmless to human beings. There is said to be an exception in this regard as the Hobo spider is said to inflict a venomous bite which may have medical significance. However, this is a matter of debate without sufficient evidence.
| Lifespan | Approximately 1 year |
| Distribution | Continents of Asia, Africa, Europe and America |
| Habitat | Grass, brush piles, weeds, and ground covers |
| Diet | Several insects like flies, cockroaches, beetles, and silverfish |
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