Aphonopelma chalcodes
I-19 Canoa Ranch Rest Area (south-bound), Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Coordinates: 31.771077, -111.034365
September 4, 2017
Size: 42 mm (body)
There were several tarantulas of different sizes under the lights of this rest area
After viewing these images, Dr. Brent Hendrixson (tarantula expert) confirmed my tentative identification commenting: “Yes, the spider is indeed Aphonopelma chalcodes. September is getting toward the end of the breeding season for this species in southern Arizona so that is why his colors are drab. Freshly matured males are much more vibrantly colored. There are also several other species in that area (e.g., A. vorhiesi in the desert and grasslands and A. madera in the higher-elevation woodlands).”