spider id please

[josh_cloud]

hi, i've been trying to id this little thing, but no avail......about time i asked for help. i know that it makes a funnel type web and burrows. any help would be nice. joshhttp://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1609/spideycv5.jpg

[Venom]

It's an Agelenopsis sp. "grass spider." Harmless of course.

[josh_cloud]

thanks, you pointed me in the right direction. narrowing this further seems difficult by doing a quick search. i couldn't find any that looked exactly like this. but the carapace and eye arrangement are the same. i didn't think it was harmless. i've been looking for trapdoors / purse web spiders and this narrows it down. although this specimen is small, i have seen them acheive 3" ls.

[What]

It's an Agelenopsis sp. "grass spider." Harmless of course.

It also could be a Holena sp. or one of the other Agelenidae genera.

But yes, it is harmless.

[jeff h]

hi, i've been trying to id this little thing, but no avail......about time i asked for help. i know that it makes a funnel type web and burrows. any help would be nice. josh




A funnel web wolf spider, Sosippus.
S. mimus is the only known species in your state and previously recorded from Forrest and Jackson Counties.

Just curious, did you collect this spider within several feet of water?

[What]

Jeff, any info on how you narrowed it down to that?

[cacoseraph]

eyes should be pretty different between Lycos and Agels

can get another pic showing eye arrangement?


(i can't see the first pic at work, so ignore me if that is already shown)

[jeff h]

Jeff, any info on how you narrowed it down to that?

The eyes, as mentioned above (although not seen here) are typical of Lycosids, which is the easiest way to distinguish Sosippus from the Agelenids.
Otherwise, I'm familiar with the Southeastern species.

For further information, check out Brady 62, 72, and Sierwald 2000, available online.

[josh_cloud]

A funnel web wolf spider, Sosippus.
S. mimus is the only known species in your state and previously recorded from Forrest and Jackson Counties.

Just curious, did you collect this spider within several feet of water?
actually, i find these regularly. both near water and far from it.
eyes should be pretty different between Lycos and Agels

can get another pic showing eye arrangement?


(i can't see the first pic at work, so ignore me if that is already shown)
i'll try.....i'm trying to learn macro shots. i have a tripod to steady myself, but lighting is my greatest obstacle.

[Venom]

Y'know Jeff, I think you're right. :clap: I'd never have pinned a wolf spider as making a sheet/ funnel web. Guess I need to bone up on my Lycosids. I never was much good with wolf spiders, lol.

[cacoseraph]

Y'know Jeff, I think you're right. :clap: I'd never have pinned a wolf spider as making a sheet/ funnel web. Guess I need to bone up on my Lycosids. I never was much good with wolf spiders, lol.

ah nuts. apparently i do too. i thought they were pure raptorial. nuts.