Envenomation by a spider, Agelenopsis aperta (family: Agelenidae) previously considered harmless

This is the first report of clinically significant bites by the grass spider (Agelenopsis aperta). Two cases of envenomation in southern California are presented. In the more serious case, a child exhibited several envenomation symptoms. Although this spider may be generally innocuous, it should be considered as a creature of occasional medical importance. Many skin lesions are attributed to spider bites despite insufficient incriminating evidence, and bites that are clinically significant may often erroneously be attributed to the brown recluse spider. Misidentification can lead to undue anxiety in a patient's family.