09/07/2023
It's been a while since I could go outside for any length of time out here without being devoured by a cloud of little mosquitoes.
I had no choice today, as the tomatoes and spinach NEEDED to be pulled from the vines. So I covered myself as much as possible and headed out for about three minutes. 😂
I apologize for the less than stellar quality of the photo. I was being bitten all over my face.
That being said...
Agelenopsis aperta, also known as the funnel-web spider.
It constructs the characteristic funnel-shaped webs in crevices where the funnel will fit, where they wait in the tube for prey which they can run after using their long legs. They often hunt for their prey at night, but this one seems to be very active in the daytime as well.
This here is a male, judging by its pedipalps.
Pedipalps are the jointed front appendages that look somewhat like small legs. They are not used like legs, though. Instead, they are more like antennae: pedipalps help the spider sense objects that it encounters. Some spiders also use their pedipalps to shape their webs and to aid in prey capture and feeding. Females are big and fluffy. Males are slim with "boxing gloves" at the end.
This particular funnel spider has a huge, wide canopy constructed in front of its funnel and will instantly come out of the funnel too look if I blow on the canopy.
It's pretty cool.
It also watches me.
I can see it's eyes looking directly at me.
Doesn't do me any good to wave though, it scurries off into its funnel when I do that.
You have nothing to fear with these spiders. They REALLY don't want you touching them and will bolt the second you move.
I can confirm this, as I have been trying to photograph this dude for two months straight.
Did you mistake one of these for a wolf spider? No worries! It's common. And now you know. 🕸️🫶
