Eratigena agrestis

(Walckenaer, 1802)

Hobo Spider

Eratigena agrestis, commonly known as the hobo spider, is a funnel-web spider native to Europe that was introduced to the Pacific Northwest of North America in the early 20th century. It constructs characteristic funnel-shaped webs and lies in wait at the narrow end to capture prey. The medical significance of its bite remains poorly understood and debated. Spiderlings emerge in spring, contrasting with the fall of the closely related E. atrica.

Distribution.tegenaria.duellica by User:Sarefo. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Hobo Spider by Julien Lino-Wiseman. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Tegenaria agrestis 070903 by Rainer Altenkamp, Berlin. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eratigena agrestis: /ɛˈræ.tɪˌdʒiː.nə əˈɡrɛs.tɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Eratigena agrestis can be distinguished from the co-occurring Eratigena atrica by : E. agrestis spiderlings emerge in spring, while E. atrica spiderlings emerge in fall. It is a funnel-web spider ( Agelenidae) and should not be confused with the Australian funnel-web spiders (family Hexathelidae).

Images

Habitat

Two study sites in British Columbia, Canada have been documented; the is established and spreading in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Native range includes Europe to Central Asia.

Distribution

Native to Europe and Central Asia. Introduced and established in the Pacific Northwest of North America (USA and Canada) since the early 20th century. Present in Belgium.

Seasonality

Spiderlings emerge in spring. active during warmer months.

Life Cycle

Spiderlings emerge in spring. differs from the co-occurring Eratigena atrica, which has fall .

Behavior

Constructs funnel-shaped webs of silk sheeting and lies in wait at the small end of the funnel for prey to blunder onto the web. Sometimes aggregates with heterospecifics; such may provide benefits that offset costs associated with competition.

Human Relevance

The medical significance of its bite is poorly understood and debated. Often confused with more dangerous spiders, leading to misidentification and unnecessary concern.

Similar Taxa

Eratigena atricaCo-occurs in Pacific Northwest; distinguished by fall of spiderlings versus spring emergence in E. agrestis
Australian funnel-web spiders (Hexathelidae)E. agrestis is often confused with these medically significant spiders due to similar , but belongs to different (Agelenidae) with different and venom composition

Misconceptions

The has been mistakenly considered medically significant in North America, though evidence for dangerous bites is debated and poorly substantiated. It is not closely related to the Australian funnel-web spiders despite similar common naming.

More Details

Taxonomic History

Formerly placed in Tegenaria; transferred to Eratigena based on phylogenetic studies. Original basionym Aranea agrestis Walckenaer, 1802.

Research Context

data from British Columbia study (2016) found that presence of western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus) and varying densities of E. atrica had little effect on E. agrestis life history, suggesting low competition pressure or equivalent /heterospecific effects.