Agelenopsis with Strange Palps. - Agelenopsis

Male.

Male spiders have modified palps for mating. They fit into the epigynum of the female like a key into a lock.

… Eric R. Eaton, 16 September, 2008 - 4:11pm

Sort of

The adult males do. Palps on an immature male look similar to the female.

… Jay Barnes, 16 September, 2008 - 8:24pm

Thanks. I thought maybe he sh

Thanks. I thought maybe he shape of the palps I showed could determine the species.

… Roland Barth, 16 September, 2008 - 8:28pm

It might help

Usually more detail is needed, and from a retrolateral view of the palp (something like this), but the shot you have along with the abdomen pattern might be sufficient for a solid ID.

Unfortunately I only have descriptions for about a half-dozen of the thirteen species currently in this genus that are known to exist in the U.S. and Canada, so I'm not comfortable identifying any of them right now. I did photograph (and collect) a mating pair of Agelenopsis a few weeks ago though, so by the time I figure those out I might be able to take care of some of the un-ID'd/mid-ID'd photos here.

… Jay Barnes, 16 September, 2008 - 11:03pm

Thanks from Eric, too.

Sorry I neglected to add 'mature' to males....I'm assuming you are ok with me moving images you have commented on. Please let me know otherwise.

… Eric R. Eaton, 5 October, 2008 - 12:34am

I don't mind

I just wish there was an easier way to catch the spider images that are self-ID'd by users who assume our guide is complete, when we are actually at less than 10%.

… Jay Barnes, 5 October, 2008 - 10:24pm