Family: Agelenidae, Funnel Web Weavers view all from this family

Description The Funnel Web Spider is a member of the family Agelenidae. Funnel web weavers are small- to medium-sized spiders, 1/16-3/4" (1-20 mm) long, that are often found in homes and fields. Most of these spiders have 8 eyes, arranged horizontally in 2 parallel rows, but some have 4-8 eyes in curved rows. Some cave species have no eyes. In many species, the hind pair of spinnerets is twice the length of the other 2 pairs. All members of the family have long, thin legs with 3 claws on each tarsus. Funnel web weavers spin sheet webs of nonadhesive silk. There is a characteristic funnel extending off from the center to one edge, where the spider hides, and a 3-dimensional barrier web over the top. When a flying insect hits the barrier, it falls into the sheet below. The spider then rushes out of the funnel, bites its inspect prey, drags it back to the funnel, and feeds. Many funnel web weavers live in leaf litter. Some are often found near ants. There are over 400 species in North America.