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Previous study of the desert, funnel-web spider, Agelenopsis aperta, indicates that this species has a monogamous mating system in that males and females only rarely mate multiply. In such cases, males are expected to exhibit mate choice. This work tests for male mate choice with respect to female body weight and reproductive status in a three-choice arena system and compares these findings to field data on male visits at female sites in a marked population. Unlike females, males do not choose to court heavier (larger) females nor do they mate assortatively with respect to body weight. However, males do differentially court older virgin females over newly matured females and already mated females. Y-maze test results suggest that virgin females emit a pheromone that cues male courtship. The level of pheromone emission appears to increase with post-maturation age of unmated female A. aperta, but drops off or ceases following mating.