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Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin
web Web most often refers to: * Spider web, a silken structure created by the animal * World Wide Web or the Web, an Internet-based hypertext system Web, WEB, or the Web may also refer to: Computing * WEB, a literate programming system created by ...
s. Some are opportunistic hunters, pouncing upon prey as they find it or chasing it over short distances; others wait for passing prey in or near the mouth of a burrow. Wolf spiders resemble
nursery web spider Nursery web spiders (Pisauridae) is a family of araneomorph spiders first described by Eugène Simon in 1890. They resemble wolf spiders (Lycosidae) except for several key differences. Wolf spiders have two very prominent eyes in addition to the o ...
s (family Pisauridae), but wolf spiders carry their egg sacs by attaching them to their spinnerets, while the Pisauridae carry their egg sacs with their chelicerae and pedipalps. Two of the wolf spider's eight eyes are large and prominent; this distinguishes them from nursery web spiders, whose eyes are all of roughly equal size. This can also help distinguish them from the similar-looking grass spiders.


Description

The many genera of wolf spiders range in body size (legs not included) from less than . They have eight eyes arranged in three rows. The bottom row consists of four small eyes, the middle row has two very large eyes (which distinguishes them from the Pisauridae), and the top row has two medium-sized eyes. Unlike most other arachnids, which are generally blind or have poor vision, wolf spiders have excellent eyesight. The '' tapetum lucidum'' is a retroreflective tissue found in eyes. This reflective tissue is only found in the four largest eyes (" secondary eyes") of the wolf spider. Flashing a beam of light over the spider produces eyeshine; this eyeshine can be seen when the lighting source is roughly coaxial with the viewer or sensor. The light from the light source (e.g., a flashlight or sunlight) has been reflected from the spider's eyes directly back toward its source, producing a "glow" that is easily noticed. Wolf spiders possess the third-best eyesight of all spider groups, bettered by jumping spiders of the family Salticidae (which can distinguish colors) and the
huntsman spider Huntsman spiders, members of the family Sparassidae (formerly Heteropodidae), are known by this name because of their speed and mode of hunting. They are also called giant crab spiders because of their size and appearance. Larger species sometim ...
s. Wolf spiders are unique in the way that they carry their eggs. The egg sac, a round, silken globe, is attached to the spinnerets at the end of the abdomen, allowing the spider to carry her unhatched young with her. The abdomen must be held in a raised position to keep the egg case from dragging on the ground. Despite this handicap, they are still capable of hunting. Another aspect unique to wolf spiders is their method of care of young. Immediately after the spiderlings emerge from their protective silken case, they clamber up their mother's legs and crowd onto the dorsal side of her abdomen. The mother carries the spiderlings for several weeks before they are large enough to disperse and fend for themselves. No other spiders are currently known to carry their young on their backs for any period of time. Because they depend on camouflage for protection, they do not have the flashy appearance of some other kinds of spiders. In general, their coloration is appropriate to their favorite habitat. '' Hogna'' is the genus with the largest of the wolf spiders. Among the ''Hogna'' species in the U.S., the nearly solid dark brown '' H. carolinensis'' (Carolina wolf spider) is the largest, with a body that can be more than long. It is sometimes confused with ''H. helluo'', which is somewhat smaller and different in coloration. The underside of ''H. carolinensis'' is solid black, but the underside of ''H. helluo'' is variegated and has reds, oranges, and yellows with shades of black. Some members of the Lycosidae, such as ''H. carolinensis'', make deep, tubular burrows in which they lurk much of the time. Others, such as ''H. helluo'', seek shelter under rocks and other shelters as nature may provide. As with spiders in general, males of almost any species can sometimes be found inside homes and buildings as they wander in search for females during the autumn. Wolf spiders play an important role in natural population control of insects and are often considered "
beneficial bug Beneficial insects (sometimes called beneficial bugs) are any of a number of species of insects that perform valued services like pollination and pest control. The concept of ''beneficial'' is subjective and only arises in light of desired outcome ...
s" due to their predation of pest species within farms and gardens.


Venom

Wolf spiders inject venom if continually provoked. Symptoms of their bites include swelling, mild pain, and itching. In the past, necrotic bites have been attributed to some South American species, but further investigation has indicated that those problems that did occur were probably actually due to bites by members of other genera. Australian wolf spiders have also been associated with necrotic wounds, but careful study has likewise shown them not to produce such results.


Genera

, the World Spider Catalog accepts these genera: * ''
Acantholycosa ''Acantholycosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders. Members of this genus can be distinguished from closely related genera by the presence of more than three pairs of ventral Standard anatomical terms of location are used to unambiguously describe ...
'' Dahl, 1908—Asia, Europe, North America * '' Adelocosa'' Gertsch, 1973—Hawaii * '' Agalenocosa'' Mello-Leitão, 1944—South America, Oceania, Mexico, India * '' Aglaoctenus'' Tullgren, 1905—South America * ''
Algidus ''Algidus'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are ...
'' New York, 1975-USA * ''
Allocosa ''Allocosa'' is a spider genus of the wolf spider family, Lycosidae. The 130 or more recognized species are spread worldwide. Species , the World Spider Catalog accepted the following species: *'' Allocosa abmingani'' (Hickman, 1944) – South ...
'' Banks, 1900—Oceania, North America, Africa, South America, Costa Rica, Asia, Europe * ''
Allotrochosina ''Allotrochosina'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. So ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Australia, New Zealand * ''
Alopecosa ''Alopecosa'' is a spider genus in the family Lycosidae (wolf spiders), with about 160 species. They have a largely Eurasian distribution, although some species are found in North Africa and North America. Life cycle Most species grow up to 2&nb ...
'' Simon, 1885—Asia, Europe, South America, Africa, North America, Oceania * ''
Amblyothele ''Amblyothele'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1910 by Simon. , it contains 8 species, all from Africa. Species ''Amblyothele'' comprises the following species: *''Amblyothele albocincta'' Simon, 1910 * ...
'' Simon, 1910—Africa * '' Anomalomma'' Simon, 1890—Pakistan, Indonesia, Zimbabwe * ''
Anomalosa ''Anomalosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Australia * ''
Anoteropsis ''Anoteropsis'' is a genus of wolf spiders. All the species except one are found in New Zealand and its islands. Their body size ranges from 4.2 to 17.4 mm. Species , the World Spider Catalog accepted the following extant species: *'' An ...
'' L. Koch, 1878—New Zealand, Papua New Guinea * ''
Arctosa ''Arctosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders first described by Carl Ludwig Koch in 1847. it contains 169 species. Species * '' Arctosa albida'' (Simon, 1898) * '' Arctosa albopellita'' (L. Koch, 1875) * '' Arctosa algerina'' Roewer, 1960 * ''Arct ...
'' C. L. Koch, 1847—Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, North America, Vanuatu * '' Arctosippa'' Roewer, 1960—Peru * ''
Arctosomma ''Arctosomma'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1960 by Roewer. , it contains only one species, ''Arctosomma trochosiforme'', found in Ethiopia. References Endemic fauna of Ethiopia Lycosidae Mono ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Ethiopia * ''
Artoria ''Artoria'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are ...
'' Thorell, 1877—Oceania, Africa, Asia * ''
Artoriellula ''Artoriellula'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae that was first described in 1960 by Roewer. , it contains 2 species occurring in South Africa and Sulawesi Sulawesi (), also known as Celebes (), is an island in Indonesia. On ...
'' Roewer, 1960—South Africa, Indonesia * '' Artoriopsis'' Framenau, 2007—Australia, New Zealand * ''
Aulonia ''Aulonia'' is a genus of wolf spiders first described by Carl Ludwig Koch Carl Ludwig Koch (21 September 1778 – 23 August 1857) was a German entomologist and arachnologist. He was responsible for classifying a great number of spiders, inc ...
'' C. L. Koch, 1847—Turkey * ''
Auloniella ''Auloniella'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1960 by Roewer. , it contains only one species, ''Auloniella maculisterna'', found in Tanzania. References

Lycosidae Monotypic Araneomorphae genera ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Tanzania * ''
Birabenia ''Birabenia'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are ...
'' Mello-Leitão, 1941—Argentina, Uruguay * ''
Bogdocosa ''Bogdocosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some a ...
'' Ponomarev & Belosludtsev, 2008—Asia * '' Brevilabus'' Strand, 1908—Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ethiopia * ''
Bristowiella ''Bristowiella'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ...
'' Saaristo, 1980—Comoros, Seychelles * ''
Camptocosa ''Camptocosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 2005 by Dondale, Jiménez & Nieto. , it contains 2 species. References Lycosidae Araneomorphae genera Spiders of North America {{Lycosidae- ...
'' Dondale, Jiménez & Nieto, 2005—United States, Mexico * ''
Caporiaccosa ''Caporiaccosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Som ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Ethiopia * ''
Caspicosa ''Caspicosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ...
'' Ponomarev, 2007—Kazakhstan, Russia * ''
Costacosa ''Costacosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are ...
'' Framenau & Leung, 2013—Australia * ''
Crocodilosa ''Crocodilosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ...
'' Caporiacco, 1947—India, Myanmar, Egypt * ''
Cynosa ''Cynosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are ...
'' Caporiacco, 1933—North Africa * '' Dejerosa'' Roewer, 1960—Mozambique * '' Deliriosa'' Kovblyuk, 2009—Ukraine * ''
Diahogna ''Diahogna'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1960 by Roewer. , it contains 4 Australian species. References Lycosidae Araneomorphae genera Spiders of Australia Taxa named by Carl Friedrich Ro ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Australia * ''
Diapontia ''Diapontia'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1877 by Keyserling. Species it contains nine species: * ''Diapontia anfibia'' (Zapfe-Mann, 1979) — Chile, Argentina * ''Diapontia arapensis'' (Strand, ...
'' Keyserling, 1877—South America * ''
Dingosa ''Dingosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are ...
'' Roewer, 1955—Australia, Peru, Brazil * ''
Dolocosa ''Dolocosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1960 by Roewer. , it contains only one species, ''Dolocosa dolosa'', on the island of Saint Helena Saint Helena () is a British overseas territory locat ...
'' Roewer, 1960—St. Helena * ''
Donacosa ''Donacosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are ...
'' Alderweireldt & Jocqué, 1991—Spain * '' Dorjulopirata'' Buchar, 1997—Bhutan * ''
Draposa ''Draposa'' is a genus of wolf spiders in the family Lycosidae, containing ten species. The species were formerly included in genus ''Pardosa'', but later included in the new genus ''Draposa''. Species * ''Draposa amkhasensis'' (Tikader & Malhot ...
'' Kronestedt, 2010—Asia * '' Dzhungarocosa'' Fomichev & Marusik, 2017—Kazakhstan * ''
Edenticosa ''Edenticosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1960 by Roewer. , it contains only one species, ''Edenticosa edentula'', on the island of Bioko Bioko (; historically Fernando Po; bvb, Ëtulá Ëria) ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Equatorial Guinea * ''
Evippa ''Evippa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are o ...
'' Simon, 1882—Africa, Asia, Spain * ''
Evippomma ''Evippomma'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1959 by Roewer. , it contains 6 species. Species ''Evippomma'' comprises the following species: *''Evippomma albomarginatum'' Alderweireldt, 1992 *''Evippom ...
'' Roewer, 1959—Africa, Asia * ''
Foveosa ''Foveosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 2007 by Russell-Smith, Alderweireldt & Jocqué. , it contains 5 species from Africa. References Lycosidae Araneomorphae genera Spiders of Africa ...
'' Russell-Smith, Alderweireldt & Jocqué, 2007 * ''
Geolycosa ''Geolycosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders first described in 1904. Species , it contains 75 species: *'' Geolycosa aballicola'' (Strand, 1906) *'' Geolycosa albimarginata'' (Badcock, 1932) *'' Geolycosa appetens'' Roewer, 1960 *'' Geolycosa ash ...
'' Montgomery, 1904—Africa, South America, Asia, North America, Oceania * ''
Gladicosa ''Gladicosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are opportunistic hun ...
'' Brady, 1987—North America * ''
Gnatholycosa ''Gnatholycosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ...
'' Mello-Leitão, 1940—Argentina * '' Gulocosa'' Marusik, Omelko & Koponen, 2015 * ''
Hesperocosa ''Hesperocosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1937 by Gertsch & Wallace. , it contains only one species, ''Hesperocosa unica'', found in the United States. References Lycosidae Monotypic Araneom ...
'' Gertsch & Wallace, 1937—United States * '' Hippasa'' Simon, 1885—Africa, Asia * ''
Hippasella ''Hippasella'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some a ...
'' Mello-Leitão, 1944—Argentina, Peru, Bolivia * ''
Hoggicosa ''Hoggicosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders first described by Carl Friedrich Roewer in 1960. The name is a reference to arachnologist Henry Roughton Hogg Henry Roughton Hogg (9 February 1846 – 30 November 1923) was a British amateur arachnolog ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Australia * '' Hogna'' Simon, 1885—Asia, Africa, South America, North America, Caribbean, Europe, Oceania, Central America * ''
Hognoides ''Hognoides'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ar ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Tanzania, Madagascar * ''
Hyaenosa ''Hyaenosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ar ...
'' Caporiacco, 1940—Asia, Africa * ''
Hygrolycosa ''Hygrolycosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) first described by Friedrich Dahl Karl Friedrich Theodor Dahl (June 24, 1856 in Rosenhofer Brök north of Dahme, Holstein – June 29, 1929 in Greifswald) was a German zoologist, a ...
'' Dahl, 1908—Asia, Greece * ''
Karakumosa ''Karakumosa'' is a genus of Asian wolf spiders first described by Dmitri V. Logunov and A. V. Ponomarev in 2020. Species it contains ten species: *''Karakumosa alticeps, K. alticeps'' (Kroneberg, 1875) – Kazakhstan *''Karakumosa badkhyzica, K. ...
'' Logunov & Ponomarev, 2020—Asia * '' Kangarosa'' Framenau, 2010—Australia * ''
Katableps ''Katableps'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 2011 by Jocqué, Russell-Smith & Alderweireldt. , it contains 3 species from Madagascar. References

Lycosidae Araneomorphae genera Spiders of Madaga ...
'' Jocqué, Russell-Smith & Alderweireldt, 2011 * ''
Knoelle ''Knoelle'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 2006 by Framenau. , it contains only one species, ''Knoelle clara''. References Lycosidae Monotypic Araneomorphae genera Spiders of Australia {{L ...
'' Framenau, 2006—Australia * '' Lobizon'' Piacentini & Grismado, 2009—Argentina * ''
Loculla ''Loculla'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some a ...
'' Simon, 1910—Iran, Africa * '' Lycosa'' Latreille, 1804—North America, Africa, Caribbean, Asia, Oceania, South America, Central America, Europe * ''
Lycosella ''Lycosella'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1890 by Thorell. , it contains 5 species found in Hawaii and Sumatra. References

Lycosidae Araneomorphae genera Spiders of Hawaii Spiders of Asia ...
'' Thorell, 1890—Indonesia * ''
Lysania ''Lysania'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1890 by Thorell. , it contains 4 Asian species. References

Lycosidae Araneomorphae genera Spiders of Asia {{Lycosidae-stub ...
'' Thorell, 1890—China, Malaysia, Indonesia * ''
Mainosa ''Mainosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 2006 by Framenau. , it contains only one species, ''Mainosa longipes'', found in Australia. References Lycosidae Monotypic Araneomorphae genera Spiders ...
'' Framenau, 2006—Australia * ''
Malimbosa ''Malimbosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1960 by Roewer. , it contains only one west African species, ''Malimbosa lamperti''. References Lycosidae Monotypic Araneomorphae genera Spiders of A ...
'' Roewer, 1960—West Africa * ''
Margonia ''Margonia'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ar ...
'' Hippa & Lehtinen, 1983—India * '' Megarctosa'' Caporiacco, 1948—Africa, Asia, Argentina, Greece * ''
Melecosa ''Melecosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. Its lone species is found in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. The species was first described in 2004 by Marusik, Azarkina, and Koponen as ''Sibirocosa alpina'', then transferred i ...
'' Marusik, Omelko & Koponen, 2015 * ''
Melocosa ''Melocosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ...
'' Gertsch, 1937—North America, Brazil * ''
Minicosa ''Minicosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ar ...
'' Alderweireldt & Jocqué, 2007—South Africa * ''
Molitorosa ''Molitorosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1960 by Roewer. , it contains only one Brazilian species, ''Molitorosa molitor''. References Lycosidae Monotypic Araneomorphae genera Spiders of Bra ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Brazil * ''
Mongolicosa ''Mongolicosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders containing eight species found in central Asia from the Altai Mountains east to western Buryatia and south to Xinjiang and the Gobi Desert. Spiders of this genus are dark coloured without any clear patt ...
'' Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004—Mongolia, China * ''
Mustelicosa ''Mustelicosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1960 by Roewer. , it contains 2 species. References

Lycosidae Araneomorphae genera Spiders of Asia Taxa named by Carl Friedrich Roewer {{Lycos ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Ukraine, Asia * ''
Navira ''Navira'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are op ...
'' Piacentini & Grismado, 2009—Argentina * ''
Notocosa ''Notocosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 2002 by Vink. , it contains only one species, ''Notocosa bellicosa'', found in New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the s ...
'' Vink, 2002—New Zealand * ''
Nukuhiva ''Nukuhiva'' is a genus of spiders with a single species, ''Nukuhiva adamsoni'', that occurs only on the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. It is in the wolf spider family, Lycosidae. It has been found on Nuku Hiva and on Ua Huka, a smalle ...
'' Berland, 1935—Marquesas Is. * ''
Oculicosa ''Oculicosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ar ...
'' Zyuzin, 1993—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan * '' Ocyale'' Audouin, 1826—Africa, Peru, Asia * ''
Orinocosa ''Orinocosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ...
'' Chamberlin, 1916—South America, Africa, Asia * '' Ovia'' Sankaran, Malamel & Sebastian, 2017—India, China, Taiwan * ''
Paratrochosina ''Paratrochosina'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Argentina, North America, Russia * ''
Pardosa ''Pardosa'' is a large genus of wolf spiders, commonly known as the thin-legged wolf spiders. It was first described by C. L. Koch, in 1847, with more than 500 described species that are found in all regions of the world. Description THey a ...
'' C. L. Koch, 1847—Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Africa, Caribbean, Oceania, Central America * ''
Pardosella ''Pardosella'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ...
'' Caporiacco, 1939—Ethiopia, Tanzania * '' Passiena'' Thorell, 1890—Africa, Asia * '' Pavocosa'' Roewer, 1960—Argentina, Brazil, Thailand * ''
Phonophilus ''Phonophilus'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1831 by Ehrenberg. , it contains only one species, ''Phonophilus portentosus'', found in North Africa (in Libya). References Lycosidae Monotypic Ara ...
'' Ehrenberg, 1831—Libya * ''
Pirata Pirata may refer to: * ''Pirata'' (album), a 1989 album by Litfiba * Pirata (footballer) (born 1987), a Portuguese footballer * ''Pirata'' (graphic novel), a graphic novel by Pol Medina, Jr * ''Pirata'' (spider), a genus of wolf spiders * ''Il p ...
'' Sundevall, 1833—South America, Africa, North America, Asia, Cuba, Central America * ''
Piratula ''Piratula'' is a genus of wolf spiders first circumscribed in 1960. Its 26 species are found mainly in Asia, with a few found in Europe and North America. Species The following species are recognised in the genus ''Piratula'': * ''Piratula b ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Asia, North America, Ukraine * ''
Portacosa ''Portacosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders containing the single species, ''Portacosa cinerea''. It was first described by V. W. Framenau in 2017, and is only found in Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a S ...
'' Framenau, 2017—Australia * ''
Proevippa ''Proevippa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1903 by Purcell. , it contains 11 African species. Species ''Proevippa'' comprises the following species: *''Proevippa albiventris'' (Simon, 1898) *''Proevip ...
'' Purcell, 1903—Africa * ''
Prolycosides ''Prolycosides'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Som ...
'' Mello-Leitão, 1942—Argentina * ''
Pseudevippa ''Pseudevippa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1910 by Eugène Simon Eugène Louis Simon (; 30 April 1848 – 17 November 1924) was a French naturalist who worked particularly on insects and sp ...
'' Simon, 1910—Namibia * ''
Pterartoria ''Pterartoria'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1903 by Purcell. , it contains 5 species. References

Lycosidae Araneomorphae genera Spiders of South Africa Spiders of Indonesia {{Lycosidae-stu ...
'' Purcell, 1903—South Africa, Lesotho * ''
Pyrenecosa ''Pyrenecosa'' is a wolf spider genus, with three European species. See also * List of Lycosidae genera Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solit ...
'' Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004—Europe * ''
Rabidosa ''Rabidosa'' is a genus of spiders described by Roewer (1960). The family is Lycosidae. It contains the following species: *'' Rabidosa carrana'' (Bryant, 1934) — USA *'' Rabidosa hentzi'' (Banks, 1904) — USA *'' Rabidosa punctulata'' (Hentz ...
'' Roewer, 1960—United States * ''
Satta Satta may refer to: People Surname * Melissa Satta (born 1986), Italian television presenter * Salvatore Satta (1902–1975) * Sebastiano Satta (1867–1914), Italian poet, writer, lawyer and journalist Given name * Satta Sheriff (born 199 ...
'' Lehtinen & Hippa, 1979—Papua New Guinea * ''
Schizocosa ''Schizocosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) containing around 60 species, distributed in North and South America, Africa, and East and Southeast Asia. See also * List of Lycosidae species :''See also the List of Lycosidae gen ...
'' Chamberlin, 1904—South America, Asia, Africa, North America, Vanuatu, Central America * '' Shapna'' Hippa & Lehtinen, 1983—India * ''
Sibirocosa ''Sibirocosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders containing seven species, all from Russia, mostly found from northeastern Siberia south to Primorsky Krai. Spiders of this genus are dark coloured and hairy with a body length of 5.25 - 7.25 mm. Sp ...
'' Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004—Russia * ''
Sosippus The spider genus ''Sosippus'' is, with other genera in the subfamily Hippasinae, unique among the spiders in the family Lycosidae in producing a large funnel-web resembling that of the Agelenidae. The posterior spinnerets are more elongate than ...
'' Simon, 1888—North America, Central America * '' Syroloma'' Simon, 1900—Hawaii * ''
Tapetosa ''Tapetosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 2009 by Framenau et al.. , it contains only one species, ''Tapetosa darwini'', found in western Australia. References

Lycosidae Monotypic Araneomorpha ...
'' Framenau, Main, Harvey & Waldock, 2009 * '' Tasmanicosa'' Roewer, 1959—Australia * ''
Tetralycosa ''Tetralycosa'' is a genus of Australian spiders in the family Lycosidae first described by Carl Friedrich Roewer, Roewer in 1960, later revised by Framenau & Hudson to include thirteen species. Genetic studies show that these spiders all diverge ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Australia * ''
Tigrosa ''Tigrosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae, found in North America. Taxonomy The genus ''Tigrosa'' was erected by Allen R. Brady in 2012. Prior to 1990, many medium to large wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) from North America wer ...
'' Brady, 2012—North America * '' Trabea'' Simon, 1876—Africa, Spain, Turkey * ''
Trabeops ''Trabeops'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1959 by Roewer. , it contains only one species, ''Trabeops aurantiacus'', found in the U.S. and Canada. References Lycosidae Monotypic Araneomorphae ge ...
'' Roewer, 1959—North America * ''
Trebacosa ''Trebacosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders first described by Dondale & Redner in 1981. Species it contains only two species: * '' Trebacosa europaea'' Szinetar & Kancsal, 2007 — Hungary * '' Trebacosa marxi'' (Stone, 1890) — USA, Canada ...
'' Dondale & Redner, 1981—Europe, North America * ''
Tricassa ''Tricassa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1910 by Simon. , it contains 2 African species. References

Lycosidae Araneomorphae genera Spiders of Africa {{Lycosidae-stub ...
'' Simon, 1910—Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar * '' Trochosa'' C. L. Koch, 1847—North America, Asia, Africa, South America, Oceania, Central America, Europe, Caribbean * ''
Trochosippa ''Trochosippa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1960 by Roewer. , it contains 9 species. Species ''Trochosippa'' comprises the following species: *''Trochosippa eberlanzi'' Roewer, 1960 *''Trochosippa eu ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Africa, Indonesia, Argentina * ''
Tuberculosa ''Tuberculosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 2006 by Framenau & Yoo. , it contains 4 Australian species. References

Lycosidae Araneomorphae genera Spiders of Australia {{Lycosidae-stub ...
'' Framenau & Yoo, 2006—Australia * ''
Varacosa ''Varacosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1942 by Chamberlin & Ivie. , it contains 6 North American species. Species ''Varacosa'' comprises the following species: *''Varacosa apothetica'' (Wallace, 19 ...
'' Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942—North America * '' Venator'' Hogg, 1900—Australia * ''
Venatrix ''Venatrix'' is a genus of wolf spiders Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are opportunistic hunte ...
'' Roewer, 1960—Oceania, Philippines * ''
Venonia ''Venonia'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1894 by Thorell. , it contains 16 species. Species ''Venonia'' comprises the following species: *''Venonia chaiwooi'' Yoo & Framenau, 2006 *''Venonia choiae'' Y ...
'' Thorell, 1894—Asia, Oceania * ''
Vesubia ''Vesubia'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are ...
'' Simon, 1910—Italy, Russia, Turkmenistan * '' Wadicosa'' Zyuzin, 1985—Africa, Asia * ''
Xerolycosa ''Xerolycosa'' is a small genus of wolf spiders in the family Lycosidae, subfamily Evippinae, consisting of three species which have a Palearctic distribution and one with an Afro-tropical distribution. Species , the World Spider Catalog accept ...
'' Dahl, 1908—Asia, Tanzania * ''
Zantheres ''Zantheres'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some ar ...
'' Thorell, 1887—Myanmar * ''
Zenonina ''Zenonina'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 1898 by Simon. , it contains 6 species. Species ''Zenonina'' comprises the following species: *''Zenonina albocaudata'' Lawrence, 1952 *''Zenonina fusca'' Capo ...
'' Simon, 1898—Africa * ''
Zoica ''Zoica'' is a genus of wolf spiders in the family Lycosidae, containing twelve species. Species * ''Zoica bambusicola'' Lehtinen & Hippa, 1979 — Thailand * ''Zoica bolubolu'' Lehtinen & Hippa, 1979 — New Guinea * ''Zoica carolinensis'' Fram ...
'' Simon, 1898—Asia, Oceania * ''
Zyuzicosa ''Zyuzicosa'' is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae. It was first described in 2010 by Logunov. , it contains 10 species. Species ''Zyuzicosa'' comprises the following species: *'' Zyuzicosa afghana'' (Roewer, 1960) *'' Zyuzicosa baisu ...
'' Logunov, 2010—Asia


Evolutionary history

Wolf spiders likely originated after the K–Pg extinction event sometime in the late Paleocene, with most main subfamilies likely originating during the Eocene and Early Oligocene between 41 and 32 million years ago.


Habitats

Wolf spiders are found in a wide range of habitats both coastal and inland. These include shrublands, woodland, wet coastal forest, alpine meadows, suburban gardens, and homes. Spiderlings disperse aerially; consequently, wolf spiders have wide distributions. Although some species have very specific microhabitat needs (such as stream-side gravel beds or montane herb-fields), most are wanderers without permanent homes. Some build
burrow An Eastern chipmunk at the entrance of its burrow A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to construct a space suitable for habitation or temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Burrows provide a form of sh ...
s which can be left open or have a trap door (depending on species). Arid-zone species construct turrets or plug their holes with leaves and pebbles during the rainy season to protect themselves from flood waters. Often, they are found in man-made locations such as sheds and other outdoor equipment.


Mating behavior

Many species of wolf spiders possess very complex courtship behaviors and secondary sexual characteristics, such as tufts of bristles on their legs or special colorations, which are most often found on the males of the species. These sexual characteristics vary by species and are most often found as modifications of the first pair of legs. First-leg modifications are often divided into elongated bristles on the legs, increased swelling of leg segments, or the full elongation of the first pair of legs compared to the other three pairs. Some mating behaviors are common between wolf spider genera, and many more that are species-specific. In the most commonly studied genus of wolf spiders, ''
Schizocosa ''Schizocosa'' is a genus of wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) containing around 60 species, distributed in North and South America, Africa, and East and Southeast Asia. See also * List of Lycosidae species :''See also the List of Lycosidae gen ...
'', researchers found that all males engage in a seismic component of their courtship display, either stridulation, or drumming their fore legs on the ground, but some also dependent on visual cues in their courtship display, as well as the seismic signaling, such as waving the front two legs in the air in front of the female, concluding that some ''Schizocosa'' species rely on multimodal courtship behaviors. The Lycosidae comprise mainly wandering spiders, and as such, population density and male-to-female sex ratio puts selective pressures on wolf spiders when finding mates. Female wolf spiders that have already mated are more likely to eat the next male that tries to mate with them than those that have not mated yet. Males that have already mated have a higher probability of successfully mating again, but females that have already mated have a lower probability of mating again.


In culture

South Carolina designated the Carolina wolf spider (''Hogna carolinensis'') as the official state spider in 2000 due to the efforts of Skyler B. Hutto, a third-grade student at Sheridan Elementary School in Orangeburg. At the time, South Carolina was the only U.S. state that recognized a state spider. In 2015, efforts began to name an official state spider for neighboring North Carolina.


Gallery

File:Wolf spider on white.jpg, Wolf spider with 3-inch spread File:20071030 Wolf Spider Carrying Egg Sac (Masked).jpg, Female with egg sac File:WolfSpider F withYoung.jpg, Female with juveniles File:Wolf spider attack position.jpg, Burrowing wolf spider File:CarolinaWolfSpider_02.jpg, '' Hogna carolinensis'' File:Spider NZ Anoteropsis aerescens.jpg, ''
Anoteropsis aerescens ''Anoteropsis aerescens'' is a species of wolf spiders, that is distinguished from all other ''Anoteropsis'' species by the shape of the median apophysis of the male bulb and the external sclerites of the female epigyne, especially the wide med ...
'' File:Wolfspider on US quarters.jpg, ''
Rabidosa rabida ''Rabidosa rabida'', also known as the rabid wolf spider, is a species of spiders from the family Wolf spider, Lycosidae, native to North America. In the United States it is found from Maine to Florida and west to Texas. Description The cephalo ...
''


See also

*
List of spiders associated with cutaneous reactions A spider bite, also known as arachnidism, is an injury resulting from the bite of a spider. The effects of most bites are not serious. Most bites result in mild symptoms around the area of the bite. Rarely they may produce a necrotic skin wound ...
*
List of Lycosidae genera Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are opportunistic hunters, pouncing upon prey as they find it or c ...
*
List of Lycosidae species :''See also the List of Lycosidae genera, sorted by subfamilies.'' This page lists all described species of the spider family Lycosidae as of Dec. 29, 2013. Acantholycosa ''Acantholycosa'' Dahl, 1908 * ''Acantholycosa aborigenica'' Zyuzin & Marus ...


References


Further reading

*Platnick, Norman I. (2008)
The world spider catalog
version 8.5. ''American Museum of Natural History''.


External links


Wolf Spider Website
Comprehensive site with info on a range of subject, from habitat, to life-cycle, to myths and facts about bites. Includes videos of Wolf Spiders in the wild and captivity (Accessed September 7, 2015
Archived Link
{{Authority control Lycosidae