Wolf Spider
Introduction
The common name reflects that these are hunting spiders and will chase their prey; the family name and typical genus are from the Greek word for wolf. These spiders often are
big and hairy, which alarms some people, but they primarily are a nuisance pest. More than 100 species occur in the United States and Canada. This section will be restricted
to members of the genus Lycosa, which contains the large and hairy species of wolf spiders.
Recognition
Adult female body length is 3/8 inch to 1 3/8 inch, male body length 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch. Cephalothorax and abdomen very hairy. Color usually dark brown, often with paler stripes or markings,
or sometimes yellow with dark stripes or markings. With eight dark eyes, front row of four small, evenly spaced eyes slightly curved towards rear medially, posterior row strongly
curved forward medially forming two rows, center/front two eyes very large and lateral/posterior two eyes of intermediate size; appears as three rows of four, two, and two. The front eye
area raised above posterior half. Chelicerae moderately long, strong, with three teeth on fang furrow retromargin. Labium longer than wide. Abdomen with posterior spinnerets
at most only slightly longer than anterior ones. Legs long and spiny, tibiae of first and second pair of legs with last pair of ventral spines apical, tibia of fourth pair of legs
with three spines of about equal thickness/stoutness across dorsum, and metatarsus of fourth leg less or not longer than its tibia and patella combined. Tarsus with three claws each,
center claw very small.
Habits
Wolf spiders actively hunt during the night and sometimes during the day. They are fast on their feet and pursue prey. Because of these habits, they are commonly seen
by people. Wolf spiders tend to alarm people because they are big, hairy, and run fast.
Some wolf spider species build retreats consisting of either a shallow excavation under a stone, or a tube/burrow running vertically or diagonally into the ground. They
leave their burrow primarily at night to hunt insect prey in the surrounding area. Some species build web retreats or shelters when they are with young, but they do not build snare
webs.
Outside, they can be found under stones, landscape timber, firewood, under decks, in leaf litter, etc. They often rest in such sheltered places during the day.
These spiders may enter structures in search of prey. Although they are not inclined to be permanent residents in structures, once inside, they often stay. Inside, they
tend to stay at or near the floor level, especially along walls under furniture and other objects. Wolf spiders may be brought indoors with firewood.
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