Genus Asagena

Removed from Steatoda.

Author of the name: Sundevall. Year first published: 1833.

4 species in Bugguide's range.

Females

A. americana -

A. fulva - Pattern stable, species abundant & widespread.

A. medialis - Pattern variable, golden orange carapace, abdomen is blackish above, a single median row of large dorsal spots (with small frontal paired ones often absent) separates this from the similar S. punctulata, longer legs in both sexes. Also easily mistaken for S. washona, but S. washona is a foothill/mountain species while A. medialis is a desert species.

A. pulcher - Relatively large spots of the middle line form a distinct band in average specimens, sometimes the white may take over the entire abdomen. Bright orange to dusky brown carapace with dusky radiating lines. Legs may show bands. Abdomen varies from reddish to black. The frontal spot is present, but never paired as in A. medialis.

Males

A. americana -

A. fulva - Pattern stable, species abundant & widespread.

A. medialis - Males resemble females but the spotting on the abdomen becomes indistinct in masculine males.

A. pulcher - Males usually have black abdomens with distinct narrow, dentate band running back to caudal end, but the side spots are usually reduced or missing.

Exact distribution within these countries will be added when time permits.

Ranges from Gertsch, 1960. "...these discrete populations live in definite areas..."(1)

A. americana - USA, Canada

A. fulva - Widespread across the southern US & as far north as OR in the west (most common in southern CA & AZ)

A. medialis - Southwestern US including southern CA & AZ, UT)

A. pulcher - AZ, CA, NM, OR, UT (2)(1)

New Mexico State University lists ranges in their area as:

Asagena americana - AZ, NM

Asagena fulva - AZ, NM, TX

Asagena medialis - AZ, W TX

Asagena pulcher - W TX

Dry habitats.

Steatoda Steatoda variata has a very similar pattern to some Asagena.