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The Labyrinth Spider (Agelena labyrinthica) is a common Palearctic species known for building large, horizontal sheet webs with a distinct funnel-shaped retreat. Harmless to humans, this shy spider waits inside its deep, maze-like tunnel for prey to land on the silk before ambushing them.
Appearance & Identification
Size: Females measure 10–16.5 mm; males are slightly smaller at 8–14 mm.
Coloration: They feature a dark grey or black abdomen with a pale central stripe flanked by white chevron marks. The yellowish-brown cephalothorax (head and thorax) has two broad, dark longitudinal stripes.
Spinnerets: Like other members of the Agelenidae family, they have highly prominent spinnerets, with the rear pair being distinctly elongated.
Habitat & Web Structure
Web Design: They spin massive, non-sticky horizontal sheet webs in low-lying vegetation (usually no higher than 1.5 meters off the ground). The web tapers off into a dense, tubular, maze-like "funnel" where the spider hides.
Locations: Commonly found in sunny, rough, uncut grasslands, uncultivated field edges, heathlands, and hedgerows.
Distribution: Widely spread throughout the Palearctic region, stretching across Eurasia.
