9-6-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - FUNNEL WEAVER SPIDER (Lycosoides coarctata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/354262-Lycosoides-coarctata

19-1-2022 MONTE CORONA , VALENCIA - FUNNEL WEAVER SPIDER (Lycosoides coarctata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/354262-Lycosoides-coarctata

27-5-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - FUNNEL WEAVER SPIDER (Lycosoides coarctata)

Textrix is a genus of funnel weavers first described by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1833. They have a mainly European distribution, with one species in Ethiopia. The type species of the genus is Textrix denticulata.

The spiders in the genus Textrix have a strongly recurved posterior row of eyes with the medial eyes larger than the lateral eyes. They have a narrow head which is distinct from the thorax. These spiders may resemble wolf spiders as they are often recorded running about in sunshine, but their long and segmented posterior spinners are very marked and identify them as funnel web weavers.

As of August 2023 it contains six species:

Textrix caudata L. Koch, 1872 – Macaronesia, Northern Africa, Southern Europe, Syria

Textrix chyzeri de Blauwe, 1980 – Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Bulgaria

Textrix denticulata (Olivier, 1789) (type) – Europe, Turkey

Textrix nigromarginata Strand, 1906 – Ethiopia

Textrix pinicola Simon, 1875 – Portugal to Italy

Textrix rubrofoliata Pesarini, 1990 – Spain, France, Italy

7-5-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - FUNNEL WEAVER SPIDER (Lycosoides coarctata)

Textrix is a genus of funnel weavers first described by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1833. They have a mainly European distribution, with one species in Ethiopia. The type species of the genus is Textrix denticulata.

The spiders in the genus Textrix have a strongly recurved posterior row of eyes with the medial eyes larger than the lateral eyes. They have a narrow head which is distinct from the thorax. These spiders may resemble wolf spiders as they are often recorded running about in sunshine, but their long and segmented posterior spinners are very marked and identify them as funnel web weavers.

As of August 2023 it contains six species:

Textrix caudata L. Koch, 1872 – Macaronesia, Northern Africa, Southern Europe, Syria

Textrix chyzeri de Blauwe, 1980 – Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Bulgaria

Textrix denticulata (Olivier, 1789) (type) – Europe, Turkey

Textrix nigromarginata Strand, 1906 – Ethiopia

Textrix pinicola Simon, 1875 – Portugal to Italy

Textrix rubrofoliata Pesarini, 1990 – Spain, France, Italy

13-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - FUNNEL WEAVER SPIDER (Lycosoides coarctata)

Lycosoides coarctata is a common Mediterranean funnel-weaver spider (Agelenidae) often found in gardens, forests, and under stones, noted for its active, non-web hunting behavior and camouflaged, mottled grey-brown appearance. Females are 8–12.5 mm, males 6–9.3 mm; both possess robust legs and are generally harmless, despite having venom for prey. 

Key Facts about Lycosoides coarctata:

Appearance & Identification:

Prosoma (Head/Thorax): Light brown with an elongated, darker cephalic part.

Opisthosoma (Abdomen): Grey-brown, often featuring a distinct mottled, greyish-brown pattern with thin angular lines (chevrons) on the rear half.

Spinnerets: Light brown, with the apical segment about twice as long as the basal segment.

Body Length: Females are roughly 8–12.5 mm; males are slightly smaller at 6–9.3 mm.

Habitat and Distribution:

Widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean region, extending to North Italy and Dalmatia.

Thrives in diverse environments including scrublands, forests, and stony areas, often hiding under stones.

Behavior and Ecology:

Hunting: Rather than relying solely on their funnel-shaped webs to catch prey, they are active hunters that move quickly, relying on sensory organs on their hairs and spines.

Reproduction: Females are known to attach their egg sacs to their bodies for protection.

Activity Pattern: Primarily nocturnal predators.

Interaction with Humans:

They are not considered aggressive, and bites are rare.

Their venom is not considered dangerous to humans, usually causing only minor irritation, similar to a bee sting.