Agelenopsis aperta

Desert grass spider
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Agelenidae
Genus:	Agelenopsis
Species:	A. aperta
Binomial name
	Agelenopsis aperta; Gertsch, 1934

Agelenopsis aperta, the desert grass spider, is a species of spider belonging to the family Agelenidae. It is found in dry regions across the Southern United States and into Mexico.

This long-legged spider is rather similar to its congeners, but the overall color is grey rather than the more usual brown. The body length (excluding legs) is up to 19 mm (0.75 in), the female averaging slightly larger (otherwise the sexes are similar). The pale grey carapace is marked with two prominent dark stripes. The abdomen is darker grey with two narrow pale stripes.

The web is a nonsticky sheet on the ground; any insect landing on this causes A. aperta to rush out from a tubular retreat to try to seize the prey. Eggs are laid in the autumn, after which the females die. Agelenopsis aperta has the ability to survive heavy snowfall and severe winters. The low temperature does not cause any changes in supercooling points, rates of oxygen consumption or freeze tolerance.[1]

References

Preston-Mafham, Ken (1998). Spiders: Compact Study Guide and Identifier. Angus Books. ISBN 978-1-904594-93-2.

[1]

Lee, Jr., Richard E; Baust, John G. "LOW TEMPERATURE ACCLIMATION IN THE DESERT SPIDER , AGELENOPSIS APERTA (ARANEAE, AGELENIDAE" (PDF). American arachnology. Retrieved 9 November 2018.

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[1] Preston-Mafham, Ken (1998). Spiders: Compact Study Guide and Identifier. Angus Books. ISBN 978-1-904594-93-2.

[2] Lee, Jr., Richard E; Baust, John G. "LOW TEMPERATURE ACCLIMATION IN THE DESERT SPIDER , AGELENOPSIS APERTA (ARANEAE, AGELENIDAE" (PDF). American arachnology. Retrieved 9 November 2018.