Or, call the gardening hotline operated by the Master Gardeners of Greene County at 41. “As a matter of fact, if you do try to eradicate them, you will probably see a great influx of pests in your garden,” said McGowan.Īccording to legend, when there is dew on Grass Spider webs in the morning, it will be a beautiful day.įor more information, contact one of MU Extension’s field specialists in horticulture serving southwest Missouri: Patrick Byers in Webster County at (417) 859-2044, Kelly McGowan in Greene County at (417) 881-8909 or Robert Balek in Jasper County at (417) 358-2158. During autumn, these spiders enter many homes as they seek warmth and protection from declining temperatures. The sheet-like web with a funnel located off to one side is usually not sticky and they make up for that by running very fast. There is no need to treat for these spiders. Grass spiders are perfect funnel-web weavers. One interesting fact about grass spiders is that they have two spinnerets to weave webs with that are located at the butt end of the spider. These spiders are not considered dangerous. Grass spiders are usually less than an inch long (small spiders) with a light brown color with dark brown markings on their backs. They very rarely leave their webs, so they won’t usually enter homes,” said McGowan. “Grass spiders are beneficial predators, eating a variety of insects in the lawn. Grass Spiders can move very quickly over the surface, and (especially when the web is dry) it looks like the spider is walking on air. These webs are nearly invisible unless covered with dewdrops on a cool morning,” said McGowan. “There is actually a web spun above the funnel, which is where the spider hides while waiting prey. The phenomenon typically happens in lawns with cool season grass and lots of shade according to Kelly McGowan, Field Specialist in Horticulture with University of Missouri Extension.įunnel spiders, also known as Grass Spiders, (Family Agelenidae) are small to medium sized spiders that spin sheet webs of nonsticky silk with a characteristic funnel extending to one side. –– Following some nice fall rains, many homeowners have discovered beautiful webs among the grass blades of their lawn in the morning. Photo provided by University of Missouri Extension
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