Superfamily Argiopoidea 



The web (Fig. 410) is a horizontal platform, from three to 

 six inches across, built between blades of grass, and usuallv from 

 two to six inches from the ground. Above the sheet forming 

 the platform, there is a labyrinth of delicate threads. 



The spider usually hangs below the centre of the platform, 

 but is sometimes found in the labyrinth above it. It is exceed- 

 ingly shy, dropping to the ground on the slightest disturbance. 



1 have found the adults in April. These may have matured 

 the previous autumn. 



Genus TAPINOPA (Tap-i-no'pa) 



The posterior median eyes are much nearer to the posterior 

 lateral eyes than to each other; the anterior eyes are in a strongly 



Fig. 413. TAPINOPA BILIXEATA 



Fis- 41 J- 



EPIGYNUM OF TAPINOPA UH.IXh \l \ 



a, ventral view b, lateral view 



recurved line; the median ocular area is large; the anterior median 

 eyes are larger than the posterior median eyes. 



This genus is represented in the United States by a single 

 described species; three or four species are known in Europe. 



Tapinopa bilineata (T. bi-lin-e-a'ta). — The cephalothorax 

 is pale with a broad black stripe on each side; these stripes do 

 not extend to the lateral margins, but they cover the greater 

 part of the dorsal aspect. The abdomen is pale, grayish brown. 



399 



