Hololena nedra

Current valid name

Hololena nedra Chamberlin and Ivie (family Agelenidae)

Recognition and diagnostic features

Wide brown stripe on dorsal surface of abdomen, 2-4-2 eye pattern.

Related or similar species

Pardosa ramulosa, Schizocosa mccooki

Spider

Body lengths when mature: male: 8 - 11.1 mm, female: 7.6 - 13 mm

Immatures resemble miniature adults.

Egg sac

Description: flat bottomed dome almost circular in circumference, often completely covered with vegetative detritus, never laid in grape bunches, always on bark, 8.26 ± 2.6 mm wide, 9.7 ± 3.2 mm long

Number of eggs per sac: 24.1 ± 9.6

Size of egg: 1.10 ± 0.06 mm

Time of year eggs are likely to be laid: most of the eggs are laid early in the year before most grapes are harvested, hatching out by mid-April

Distribution

In California: Central Valley and northern counties

Elsewhere: Oregon, Washington

Native to North America

This species has not been transported or become established outside of its range.

Biology

Web weaving spider, makes a trampoline-like web with a retreat emanating from a hole or other secluded cavity. Covers grape bunches with silk that is difficult to remove, causing field workers to leave bunches on the vine

Status in table grapes

Level of Incidence: common

Level of Concern in New Zealand: WPNZ (May 2010) nr, BORIC (Dec 2011) nr (not listed), MAF-BPRA (2002) nr (coding definition)

Level of Concern in Australia: WPAU (2006) nr (coding definition)

Level of Medical importance: none, however, adults are large enough to pierce skin with a bite if they get a chance

Common name

None for species, funnel weavers for family

Taxonomic history

Stable

Selected references

Chamberlin, R. V., and W. Ivie. 1942. Agelenidae of the genera Hololena, Novalena, Rualena, and Melpomene. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 35:203-241.