Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Many Tegenaria have been moved to Eratigena.
Numbers
3 species in BugGuide's range (North America north of Mexico).
Size
NOTE: When measuring the size of a spider, only the body length is measured (do not include the legs).
Sizes vary depending on species, but the adults can range from 10 mm to 20 mm
Identification
These spiders are very difficult to identify as they are fairly non-descript, and resemble many other spiders in the local area (other funnel-web spiders (Agelenidae), smaller wolf spiders (Lycosidae); refer to "See Also" section).
Two of these species are no longer in the genus Tegenaria (moved to Eratigena) but since they are similar and often mistaken for one another, they are being left on this page to aid in identification:
Tegenaria domestica - Commonly referred to as the "Barn Funnel Weaver" (
T. pagana looks very similar).
Eratigena agrestis - Commonly referred to as the "Hobo Spider".
Eratigena atrica - Commonly referred to to as the "Giant House Spider".
Range
T. chiricahuae - caves in southeastern Arizona and New Mexico (our only native
Tegenaria).
(1)
T. domestica - cosmopolitan (found nearly all over the world).
T. pagana - AL, AZ, CA, LA, NM, OK, TX and one questionable record from Altoona, PA.
(2) Habitat
Wooded areas, deserts, coastal areas, grassy fields, inside man-made structures.
Food
Most insects as long as they are small enough to subdue.
Remarks
T. domestica is typically present in the same ranges as species in the genus Eratigena, but is often "run off" as the other spiders compete for the same food sources, thus the T. domestica must find a different food supply.
See Also
Genus
Eratigena (four species, synonymized to two, recently transferred from
Tegenaria to that genus).
Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae) -
info,
images
Funnel-Web Spiders (Agelenidae) -
info,
images
how to know the spiders gives these few distinctions: Coras has robust chelicerae and the anterior median eyes usually larger than the anterior laterals. Tegenaria does not have robust chelicerae, anterior median eyes not larger than the laterals(usually smaller), posterior median eyes are very little smaller than the posterior laterals, and the posterior eye row is slightly procurved.
Internet References
1)
The History of the Hobo Spider: A brief discussion of the various Tegenaria spp. found in the United States/Canada.
2)
Newsletter of the Entomological Society of British Columbia, Volume 22, Number 1 July 2002 (an article by Robb Bennett:
Hyperbole and hysteria on the path to enlightenment – a review of current tegenaria projects of relevance to canadian arachnologists)
