Agelenopsis actuosa
| Common American grass spider | |
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| Species: | A. actuosa
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| Agelenopsis actuosa Gertsch, 1936
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The common American grass spider (Agelenopsis actuosa, actuosa = "active, agile") is a species of grass spider native to southeastern Canada and the New England states. It is sometimes also encountered in such states as Michigan and New York.
The species are rather similar to those of the Agelena genus, instead of Agelenopsis, mainly because of their paler coloring and the meeting of the two lines on the cephalothorax (near the abdomen), which are usually parallel in other species. Females also possess a considerably larger, almost swollen abdomen after their sixth molt. It grows up to 2.5 cm (0.98 in) including legspan in females, with males 1/4 smaller. It can detect movements in the wind and run for retreat before a larger threat even approaches. One way to lure the spider out is to tickle the inner end of the funnel with a grass bud.
References
Preston-Mafham, Ken (1998). Spiders: Compact Study Guide and Identifier. Angus Books. ISBN 978-1-904594-93-2.