Agelenoidea
The Agelenoidea clade brings together families of sheet-web weaving spiders, often seen in dark corners, under rocks, in woodlands, or inside homes. Their horizontal web is complemented by a funnel-shaped retreat where the spider hides while waiting for prey to cross the sheet.
🧬 Key Characteristics
- Flat web (sheet) with a tubular retreat
- No active hunting, they wait inside their shelter
- Fast runners when they rush out to catch prey
- Eyes arranged in two rows
- Frequent presence of a cribellum in some species
🕷️ Representative Families
- Agelenidae – Funnel-web spiders, very common in temperate areas
- Desidae – Web builders near moist environments, often in New Zealand or Australia
- Amphinectidae (according to some classifications) – Sometimes included in Agelenidae
🏠 Habitat
Agelenoidea occupy a variety of habitats:
- Moist woodlands
- Rock or wall crevices
- Human-made spaces (garages, cellars, attics)
- Low-disturbance sites, with little wind exposure
🧭 Observation
Their white sheet web is often visible in humid weather or early in the morning. The spiders quickly flee into their retreat if disturbed. They can be observed at dusk or at night, while they wait for unsuspecting insects.