Venonia micarioides

Fact Box Species: Venonia micarioides (JS) (or a closely related species) Family: Lycosidae Note: Venonia belongs to a lycosid subfamily with features rather different from all other lycosids Body length: female: 4 mm male: 3.5 mm Habitat: This spider is rarely seen although its webs are extremely common and, when found at all, are usually present in large numbers. The web typically has the shape of a very shallow funnel, the centre of which leads down into a shallow burrow. Burrows are built in areas of lawn, leaf litter, or bare ground that is relatively soft Toxicity: This species is far too small and too timid to be harmful to humans

The female Another male Underneath female Underneath male The web

This kind of spider is primarily nocturnal and is not normally seen except during the early morning, when it may be noticed dashing back into its burrow. Even its web is difficult to see except when coated with dew.

Its eye pattern and general body shape are essentially the same as 'conventional' lycosids such as Lycosa godeffroyi but it lacks the large, forward-directed eyes that most lycosids have. Another unusual feature is the unusually long fourth pair of legs and the presence of erect spines on all legs. Also noteworthy if you can examine this spider with some form of magnifier are the spinnerets, which have wider separation than for most lycosids and also point diagonally to the sides.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: None that anyone would confuse with Venonia provided the web was also seen.