Hololena curta

(McCook, 1894)

Corner Funnel Weaver, Funnel Web Spider

Hololena curta is a medium-sized funnel-web spider native to western North America. Mature females measure 9–12 mm in body length, males 8–9 mm. The constructs flat, sheet-like webs with a funnel-shaped retreat in one corner, using vibration sensitivity rather than sticky silk to capture prey. Males have evolved multiple adaptations to avoid sexual , including detecting virgin female webs, producing stereotyped vibrational courtship signals, and inducing cataleptic paralysis in receptive females. Bites to humans have been documented but typically result in mild, self-limiting .

American spiders and their spinningwork (5985267638) by McCook, Henry C.. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hololena curta: //ˌhoʊləˈliːnə ˈkɜːrtə//

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

Identification

Distinguished from related Agelenidae by short directed inward, versus long parallel spinnerets in Agelenopsis and Calilena. Smaller than Agelenopsis, which averages 10–20 mm body length. Definitive identification requires microscopic examination of genitalia.

Images

Habitat

Found in hedges, yards, gardens, and other vegetated areas where sheet webs can be constructed. Juveniles and mature males frequently wander and may enter buildings.

Distribution

Western North America; western third of the United States from Washington and Idaho south to southern California and New Mexico. Native to Canada and the United States. Records also from Hawaii.

Seasonality

Active year-round in favorable conditions; mature males wander in search of females from late summer through fall, with observations extending into November in Colorado and New Mexico.

Diet

Feeds on insects intercepted by web; specifically, flying insects knocked onto the sheet platform by tangle threads above, then subdued and dragged into retreat.

Behavior

Constructs flat, hammock-shaped sheet web with funnel retreat in one corner; extremely sensitive to vibrations, dashing out immediately to subdue prey. Males court by bouncing legs and on female's web, creating 1–6 vibrations; receptive females respond by drawing in legs and entering cataleptic paralysis. Males then grasp female's hind legs, drag her deeper into retreat, and copulate by turning her on her side to insert palps. Males can mate multiple times and preferentially seek virgin females to avoid aggression from mated females.

Ecological Role

of flying insects; contributes to insect in gardens and natural vegetation.

Human Relevance

Occasionally enters homes, where it may startle residents but poses minimal threat. Documented bites to humans are rare; two verified cases involved men bitten by females, resulting in headaches and vomiting lasting approximately four hours; one case of adult woman bitten by male resulted in very mild reaction. All cases resolved without medical treatment within days.

Similar Taxa

AgelenopsisLarger body size (10–20 mm vs. 8–12 mm), long held parallel rather than short inward-directed spinnerets
CalilenaLong held parallel, distinguishable from Hololena's short inward-directed spinnerets

More Details

Venom composition

Venom contains insecticidal acylpolyamines, insecticidal , and ; however, effects on humans are generally mild.

Male survival adaptations

Research has identified three specific male adaptations to minimize sexual : chemical/tactile detection of virgin female webs, stereotyped vibrational courtship signals inducing female , and induction of cataleptic paralysis in receptive females. Additionally, leg (self-amputation) has been observed as an escape mechanism.