Labyrinth spider

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Labyrinth spider
Labyrinth spider on web

Labyrinth spider on web

Systematics
Subordination : Real spiders (Araneomorphae)
Partial order : Entelegynae
Superfamily : Ageloidea
Family : Funnel spiders (Agelenidae)
Genre : Labyrinth spiders ( Agelena )
Type : Labyrinth spider
Scientific name
Agelena labyrinthica
( Clerck , 1757)

The labyrinth spider ( Agelena labyrinthica ) is a species from the genus of labyrinth spiders ( Agelena ) in the family of funnel spiders (Agelenidae). She was voted Spider of the Year 2011 .

features

The labyrinth spider reaches a body length of up to 14 millimeters than females, the males are a maximum of 12 millimeters in size. The abdomen ( opisthosoma ) is gray-brown in color. The gray hair forms a pattern of slightly sloping backward stripes. In older animals, the hair increasingly wears off, so that it then looks more brown than young animals. The front body ( prosoma ) is yellow-brown to red-brown in color. The gray hair in the middle and on the edge results in two broad vertical stripes on the front body. The spinnerets of the labyrinth spider are particularly long and conspicuous. The legs correspond in color to the back of the body and have no special pattern.

Similar species

Allagelena gracilens (ex. Agelena gracilens ) is extremely similar to the labyrinth spider. However, it occurs less often, is significantly smaller, often builds its smaller funnel network in higher vegetation, and adult animals appear a little later in the year.

Occurrence and distribution

Labyrinth spiders prefer drier outdoor locations with low vegetation, e.g. B. dry grass , heather , wasteland, roadsides and bushes. It can almost always be found frequently in suitable habitats. The labyrinth spider is widespread throughout the Palearctic and is not uncommon.

behavior

Way of life and catch of prey

Like most funnel spiders, the labyrinth spider also builds a tightly woven funnel web with a hiding place near the center of the web. The net can reach a diameter of 50 centimeters and is built directly on the ground or at a low height. The spider usually waits in or in front of the hiding place for prey insects that run over the web or fall on it. When a prey is perceived by the vibration of the web, the spider runs quickly on the web to the prey and ties it up with spider silk. If the insect is immobilized in this way, it is paralyzed by a poison bite, transported to the hiding place and consumed there.

In the event of malfunctions, the labyrinth spider retreats into the hiding place and in an emergency can escape through the funnel that is open to the rear.

Reproduction

Mating takes place in midsummer. The male enters the female's net. If this is ready for pairing, it remains at the funnel entrance. The male then seizes the female and inserts the pedipalps into the epigyne . After mating, the female awakens from its rigidity and the male escapes from the net. Not infrequently, however, it is overtaken by the female and, like other prey, caught and consumed.

The female converts her net into a cocoon in late summer . This is attached to the vegetation with strong spider silk. The eggs and young spiders overwinter in this cocoon. They leave the nest next spring.

  • Labyrinth spider in front of its funnel

  • Labyrinth spider with prey

  • Labyrinth spider cocoon in gorse

  • Male labyrinth spider in its web (video, 51s)

Web links

Commons : Labyrinth Spider ( Agelena labyrinthica )  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Agelena labyrinthica in the World Spider Catalog

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Christoph Hörweg: The common labyrinth spider, Spider of the year 2011 , in Arachnologische Mitteilungen 41 (2011); (PDF, 1.2 MB); accessed on May 1, 2015
  2. ↑ a b c d e Heiko Bellmann , Kosmos-Atlas Arachnids Europe, Kosmos-Verlag, ISBN 3-440-09071-X
  3. ↑ Natural History Museum of the Burgergemeinde Bern: World Spider Catalog Version 15.5 - Agelena labyrinthica . Retrieved September 5, 2014.