Western Ageleninae

Agelenopsis - 14 species(1)

Calilena - 16 species(1)

Hololena - 30 species(1)

Melpomene - 1 species(1)

Novalena - 5 species(1)

Rualena - 9 species(1)

Tortolena - 1 species(1)

Many genera in subfamily Ageleninae are commonly confused for Agelenopsis, which also belongs to this subfamily.

The western non-Agelenopsis genera typically have shorter spinnerets than typical Agelenopsis, giving the abdomen a shorter and stubbier appearance.

However, BugGuide has photos of some genera/species (such as Calilena) that show that is not always the case.

Mature males of the non-Agelenopsis genera will lack the noticeably large spiral emboli on the pedipalps that are found on many Agelenopsis species. Examples of pedipalps from the non-Agelenopsis genera:

Agelenopsis - throughout North America

Calilena - CA, OR, WA, AZ, NV, UT, ID (2)

Hololena - CA, OR, WA, AZ, NM, NV, CO, UT, ID (3)

Melpomene - AZ (2)

Novalena - CA, OR, WA, AZ, NM, CO, UT, ID (3)

Rualena - CA (3)

Tortolena - southern TX (2)

This page contains unidentified images of the primarily Western genera listed above. The genera are difficult to identify. The scientific literature for these genera is in need of revision, which further complicates identification, even with access to a specimen and clear images of the genitalia.