Agelenopsis longistyla

(Banks, 1901)

Agelenopsis longistyla is a small funnel weaver spider in the Agelenidae, first described by Nathan Banks in 1901. It is the smallest in the Agelenopsis when excluding leg measurements. The species is found in the central United States and constructs characteristic funnel-shaped webs with sheet-like platforms.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Agelenopsis longistyla: /æˌdʒɛləˈnɒpsɪs ˈlɔːn.dʒɪˌstaɪ.lə/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Agelenopsis by its notably small body size—excluding legs, it is the smallest member of the . Similar to in having long held parallel to each other, which separates the genus from Hololena (short, inward-directed spinnerets). Specific identification requires microscopic examination of genitalia.

Distribution

Central United States.

Similar Taxa

  • Agelenopsis pennsylvanicaLarger body size (10–20 mm vs. smaller A. longistyla); otherwise similar funnel-web architecture and general .
  • Hololena spp.Western North American funnel weavers with short, inward-directed versus long parallel spinnerets in Agelenopsis; similar web structure but different spinneret orientation.

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