Need help Identifying spider

[cja7928]

Ive recently started seeing a bunch of these around my house, I suspect its a barn funnel weaver, but i want to be sure. can anyone help identify this guy.
Thanks in advance.

http://i39.tinypic.com/ne9vzk.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/15yu4n5.jpg

[cja7928]

BTW im in vancouver WA

[jsloan]

Ive recently started seeing a bunch of these around my house, I suspect its a barn funnel weaver, but i want to be sure. can anyone help identify this guy.

From the pictures it is 100% positive the genus is Tegenaria, adult female. As to what species it is, that's harder to say. The ventral picture is a little too out of focus to see the epigynum clearly enough to tell. Also, it's hard to see if there are spots surrounding the longitudinal stripe in the center of the sternum. The hobo spider, T. agrestis, generally lacks those spots; whereas they are generally present in T. domestica (barn funnel weaver) and T. duellica (giant house spider). However, in some individuals of these latter two species the spots can be faint. So, you'll need to base an ID on the epigynum.

You can do that if you have a microscope or a strong hand lens. Here is a document with all the information you'll need to make that identification:

http://pep.wsu.edu/pdf/PLS116_1.pdf

A couple of things: individuals from these different species can look very much alike to the naked eye, so general appearance won't be enough to determine the species.

Also, if you key this out to a particular species be aware that all 3 species are found in your area, so the next spider you find might be one of the others. That is, don't assume that every spider you find from now on is the same species as this one.

That said, these are fun spiders to keep. I found a T. domestica a couple of weeks ago in Edmonton and have been keeping it in a container since then. It built a little hideaway in some rocks I put in and has a small web. When I throw in a fly the spider rushes out and grabs it and hangs on until the fly is dead. Sometimes a large fly will be big enough to pull the spider around the container as it claws its way on the sides, trying get away with the spider doggedly hanging on to it. The spider always prevails, of course, but it's interesting to watch the struggle.

This spiders needs a regular supply of water in order to eat properly, so don't let it go without. You can tell when it is parched, because it will leave food only partially eaten. After it drinks, it will finish its meal.

[cja7928]

From the pictures it is 100% positive the genus is Tegenaria, adult female. As to what species it is, that's harder to say.

Thanks for the input, I will try to catch the next one I see and get a better look with a magnifying glass or even see if I can take a clearer picture.