Wolf Spiders

Description

Wolf Spiders are “ground active hunters,” but unlike their namesake they are solo hunters, not pack hunters. Many laypersons hear the name “wolf spider” and imagine something far from the truth: most species are small to medium in size; none are particularly hairy; and their shape is fairly generic for a spider.

Wolf spiders are famous for their unique parenting style. After birth, spiderlings cling to the mother’s body, riding along until they are large enough to hunt on their own.

Species

Hogna antelucana or Hogna labrea

Description

These two species are visually identical, yet highly variable in colors and markings. Typically there is a pale median band down the prosoma flanked by dark radial lines. The opisthosoma may have distinct rows of dark markings or it may have very little marking. Adults can range from about 13mm - 18mm in body length, not especially large but noticeable.

Notes

These species can only be distinguished with microscopic examination of the genitalia. Further, I can't be confident my specimen is even a member of genus Hogna; this is my best guess based on range and sample images of these and other species of wolf spider. However, the size and arrangement of the eyes marks this specimen unmitakeably as a wolf spider.

Images of Hogna antelucana or Hogna labrea

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This wolf spider specimen was seen at night in the desert near Big Bend National Park. The large size and central positioning of the anterior eyes is easily visible in bright lighting; beyond that, its markings are not especially distinct. However, the dark radial lines on the prosoma are enough to rule out many types of wolf spider.
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A darker picture in better focus of the same specimen shows better detail on the legs, prosoma, and chelicerae, but none bear markings distinct enough for high confidence in identification. The beautiful radial lines on the prosoma are easily seen.

Rabidosa rabida

"Rabid Wolf Spider"

Description

Primarily tan with brown marking, this species has long legs and a flat posture. Although many wolf spiders look similar to the untrained eye, there are key details which make this species unmistakable. If seen from the front, narrow brown vertical stripes extend the length of the center of its chelicerae. If seen from above, the median (central) dark band extends all the way down the opisthosoma to the spinnerets and contains faint tan chevrons toward the latter end.

Notes

Despite its absurdly fearsome name, this spider is not especially aggressive or dangerous in any way. Nor is it rare; at least in urban and suburban central Texas it is among the most common spiders encountered in a grassy yard or field.

Images of Rabid Wolf Spider

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Rabidosa rabida seen at night on a concrete sidewalk. Note the distinctive chevrons on the median dark band. The small size of the opisthosoma indicates a male; the dark front legs indicate a mature male.
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This Rabid Wolf Spider was disturbed by the grass being cut and retreated up onto the side of an urban house. This specimen clearly displays another identifying feature, a "feathered" pattern in the lateral dark bands of the opisthosoma. The large opisthosoma indicates a female.
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Though not easily determined from the photo, this was the largest R. rabida I have ever seen; it was spotted in a suburban garden at night in a yard full of dozens of other specimens. Note the high contrast between the pale chelicerae and the dark stripes running down them. As a mature specimen, this must be female because its legs are all the same color.
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A roughly lit specimen seen by a paved urban nature trail at night. In addition to the visible chelicerae stripes and the lateral band "feathering", the mature male's dark first legs are unique to this species.

Tigrosa georgicola

Description

T. georgicola has dark prosoma a very narrow pale band down the center and radial lines which may be faint or distinct. The legs are tan or light grey with dark banding. The opisthosoma is lighter in color with small dark chevrons. Its spinnerets are visible protruding from the posterior end of the opsithosoma. Markings on the legs, prosoma, and opsithosoma are faint but just visible in this lighting.

Images of Tigrosa georgicola

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An adult Tigrosa georgicola spotted at night in leaf litter on the edge of a forest. Its legs are set widely in a typical symmetrical hunting posture, holding it above multiple uneven surfaces.

Unidentified Wolf Spiders with Young

Description

All Lycosidae mothers, unique among spiders, carry their newly hatched young on their opisthosoma for some time. Because identification of wolf spiders can already be quite difficult, I am not able to confidently identify either of these specimens I've spotted with young.

Images of Unidentified Wolf Spiders with Young

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This adult female wolf spider was seen carrying her young across my porch at night. Despite its encumbrance, this spider was able to move at full speed when startled.
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A closer picture of this wolf spider's young clinging to their mother. The greenish semitransparent carapaces of the young are clearly visible; look closely to see their tangled legs wrapped around one another.
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This wolf spider family was seen on a wooded hike late at night. Despite the striking spots on the legs and the distinct radial lines on the prosoma, I can't be certain of a genus for this specimen without seeing underneath its young.
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These wolf spider young can be seen more closely in this photo. Distinct dark markings on their carapaces can be made out, as well as what appears to be the chelicerae or pedipalps of one facing directly at the camera.
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A different wolf spider with young. This specimen shares the large leg bristles and spotty leg coloration of the previous photos, but has somewhat different prosoma patterning.
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A third mother wolf spider carrying spiderlings, this time in cooler fall weather. The spider has fewer leg spots but highly visible leg bristles. The prosoma's patterning can't be made out clearly.