''Textrix denticulata'', the toothed weaver, is a funnel web spider of the family

Agelenidae The Agelenidae are a large family of spiders in the suborder Araneomorphae. Well-known examples include the common "grass spiders" of the genus ''Agelenopsis''. Nearly all Agelenidae are harmless to humans, but the bite of the hobo spider (''Era ...

found in much of Europe. It was described by the

French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...

entomologist Entomology (from Ancient Greek ἔντομον (''éntomon''), meaning "insect", and -logy from λόγος (''lógos''), meaning "study") is the branch of zoology that focuses on insects. Those who study entomology are known as entomologists. In ...

Guillaume-Antoine Olivier Guillaume-Antoine Olivier (; 19 January 1756, Les Arcs near Toulon – 1 October 1814, Lyon) was a French entomologist and naturalist. Life Olivier studied medicine in Montpellier, where he became good friends with Pierre Marie Auguste Br ...

in 1789. An older name coined by

Martini Martini may refer to: * Martini (cocktail), a drink made with gin and vermouth, garnished with an olive or a lemon twist * Martini (vermouth), a brand of vermouth * Martini (surname), an Italian surname * Martini (automobile company), a Swiss auto ...

Goeze Goeze is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Johann August Ephraim Goeze (1731–1793), German zoologist *Johann Melchior Goeze (1717–1786), German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and Christian apologetics writer See also

*Goek ...

in 1778, ''Aranea cruciger'', has been declared a

nomen oblitum In zoological nomenclature, a ''nomen oblitum'' (plural: ''nomina oblita''; Latin for "forgotten name") is a disused scientific name which has been declared to be obsolete (figuratively "forgotten") in favor of another "protected" name. In its pr ...

, allowing Olivier's later name to stand.

Description

The male ''Textrix denticulata'' is similar to the female in general appearance. The carapace is dark brown with a light median band. The head is narrow, with steep sides, not unlike

wolf spider Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (), named for their robust and agile hunting skills and excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and usually do not spin webs. Some are opportunistic hunters, pouncing upon ...

s of the genus ''

Pardosa ''Pardosa'' is a large genus of wolf spiders, commonly known as the thin-legged wolf spiders. It was first described by C. L. Koch, in 1847, with more than 500 described species that are found in all regions of the world. Description They ar ...

''. The abdomen is dark brown with a light horse-shoe shaped marking towards the anterior which breaks down into a series of light spots towards the posterior. There are vague, somewhat reddish chevrons due to the relatively thinner coating of hairs between the horseshoe mark and the posterior spotting which causes the background colour of the abdomen to be visible. The legs are yellow-brown with dark annulations and rings of white hairs. The body length of the female is 7–8 mm, that of the slightly smaller male 6–7 mm.

Biology

''Textrix denticulata'' builds small funnel webs that end in a tube where the spider sits until it detects its prey touch the web when it leaves the tube and subdues the prey. It is mostly active at night. Both sexes are mainly found from early to mid-summer but females can be found at most times of the year and males have also been recorded in September. The yellow egg sac contains 50-60 eggs and is covered with soil particles and stones and secured under rocks and in crevices.

Habitat

''Textrix denticulata'' is found in sunny edges of forests, on rocks and on walls and sometimes in houses. In

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...

it is found on stony ground, in rocky crevices, on low bushes and under bark, both inland and in coastal areas. Here too it is equally common in houses and on some disused stony industrial sites.

Distribution

''Textrix denticulata'' is widespread in Northern Europe, except the northern and eastern part. In Great Britain this spider is common in the north, less so in the south, and very rare in the southeast.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q310038 Agelenidae Spiders of Europe Spiders described in 1789