Funnel-shaped web and spider just visible

Dannica · #1 (**permalink**) 16-08-2011, 11:49 AM

Probably a very common spider, but interested to know what it might be.
Quite dense webs, found on heathland in amongst gorse and erica.
D

frits_b · #2 (**permalink**) 16-08-2011, 11:57 AM

Agelena labyrinthica

Large funnel-shaped webs found out in the open (not in dark or damp places) almost always belong to A. labyrinthica, is my experience.

Dannica · #3 (**permalink**) 16-08-2011, 12:17 PM

Thanks, frits. I think you're right, the abdomen markings look right for Agelena labyrinthica as well.

I also found lots of these webs in the same area, though I'm not sure this one is the same as the one I tried to upload, which is too large a file size, (that one was made up of layers and layers of quite splayed, far-reaching web).
Any thoughts? Agelena labyrinthica, too?

frits_b · #4 (**permalink**) 16-08-2011, 12:26 PM

Yes, that would be my guess. The other funnelweb spiders don't tend to like sunlight very much. The size is also an indication. A. labyrinthica make very large webs; they keep adding to it.

Dannica · #5 (**permalink**) 16-08-2011, 01:10 PM

As you say, they add to the web, but do you know if they move away from the web when it gets very dusty and cluttered with leaf debris, or is it common to see webs with more than one "funnel" as a result of extensions? I doubt they'd bother dismantling and rebuilding as this would be a huge task.
D

frits_b · #6 (**permalink**) 16-08-2011, 02:57 PM

I don't recall seeing a funnel web with more than one funnel. I know A. labyrinthica webs can get pretty messy, but I'm not sure if they ever leave their webs to build new ones.

I do know that they can put up a fairly large web within one night, as I've held one in a glass container for a while. I remember putting the spider in and being a bit disappointed as it just sat in a corner and didn't move. When I woke up the next morning, I was quite surprised to discover that the spider had built a funnel web of reasonable size overnight. During the next few days, the spider kept reinforcing and enlarging it, until pretty soon it filled the entire container. This spider is very nice to observe this way and it's very easy to feed; it will eat any insect thrown upon the surface of its web. It's fascinating to see it rush out of its funnel and seize its victim.