Wolf spider
| Wolf spiders | |
|---|---|
 | |
Hogna lenta | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Superfamily: | Lycosoidea |
| Family: | Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833 |
Genera | |
See text | |
Diversity | |
> 100 genera, around 2,300 species | |
 | |
Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae, from the Ancient Greek word "λύκος" meaning "wolf". They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude and hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are opportunistic hunters pouncing upon prey as they find it or even chasing it over short distances. Some wait for passing prey in or near the mouth of a burrow.
Wolf spiders resemble nursery web spiders (family Pisauridae), but wolf spiders carry their egg sacs by attaching them to their spinnerets. (the Pisauridae carry their egg sacs with their chelicerae and pedipalps). Two of the wolf spider's eight eyes are large and prominent, which distinguishes them from the nursery web spiders whose eyes are all of roughly equal size. This can also help distinguish them from grass spiders.
Contents
1 Description
2 Venom
3 Genera
4 Habitats
5 In culture
6 Gallery
7 See also
8 References
9 Further reading
10 External links
Description
Eye configuration of a Hogna species
The many genera of wolf spiders range in body size (legs not included) from less than 10 to 35 mm (0.4 to 1.38 in).[1][2] 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 with their large eyes. The sensory hairs on their legs and bodies give them an acute sense of touch.
Flashing a beam of light over the spider produces eyeshine. The light from the flashlight has been reflected from the spider's eyes directly back toward its source, producing a "glow" that is easily noticed. This is also especially helpful because when the nocturnal wolf spiders are out hunting for food it makes it easier to find them.[citation needed] 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 spiders.
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 unborn young with her. The abdomen must be held in a raised position to keep the egg case from dragging on the ground. However, 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 2.5 cm (1 in) 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. They may wander from place to place, so are likely to be attracted into human habitation when the weather starts to turn colder in autumn. 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.
Many smaller genera of wolf spiders are found in the United Kingdom. They live in pastures and fields and feed on smaller prey, playing an important role in natural population control that keeps insect numbers in the wolf spiders' vicinity within acceptable levels.
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.[3] Australian wolf spiders have also been associated with necrotic wounds, but careful study has likewise shown them not to produce such results.[4]
Genera
As of July 2018[update], the World Spider Catalog accepts the following genera in the spider family Lycosidae:[5]
Acantholycosa Dahl, 1908
Adelocosa Gertsch, 1973
Agalenocosa Mello-Leitão, 1944
Aglaoctenus Tullgren, 1905
Algidus Simon, 1898
Allocosa Banks, 1900
Allotrochosina Roewer, 1960
Alopecosa Simon, 1885
Amblyothele Simon, 1910
Anomalomma Simon, 1890
Anomalosa Roewer, 1960
Anoteropsis L. Koch, 1878
Arctosa C. L. Koch, 1847
Arctosippa Roewer, 1960
Arctosomma Roewer, 1960
Artoria Thorell, 1877
Artoriellula Roewer, 1960
Artoriopsis Framenau, 2007
Aulonia C. L. Koch, 1847
Auloniella Roewer, 1960
Birabenia Mello-Leitão, 1941
Bogdocosa Ponomarev & Belosludtsev, 2008
Brevilabus Strand, 1908
Bristowiella Saaristo, 1980
Camptocosa Dondale, Jiménez & Nieto, 2005
Caporiaccosa Roewer, 1960
Caspicosa Ponomarev, 2007
Costacosa Framenau & Leung, 2013
Crocodilosa Caporiacco, 1947
Cynosa Caporiacco, 1933
Dejerosa Roewer, 1960
Deliriosa Kovblyuk, 2009
Diahogna Roewer, 1960
Diapontia Keyserling, 1877
Dingosa Roewer, 1955
Dolocosa Roewer, 1960
Donacosa Alderweireldt & Jocqué, 1991
Dorjulopirata Buchar, 1997
Draposa Kronestedt, 2010
Dzhungarocosa Fomichev & Marusik, 2017
Edenticosa Roewer, 1960
Evippa Simon, 1882
Evippomma Roewer, 1959
Foveosa Russell-Smith, Alderweireldt & Jocqué, 2007
Geolycosa Montgomery, 1904
Gladicosa Brady, 1987
Gnatholycosa Mello-Leitão, 1940
Gulocosa Marusik, Omelko & Koponen, 2015
Hesperocosa Gertsch & Wallace, 1937
Hippasa Simon, 1885
Hippasella Mello-Leitão, 1944
Hoggicosa Roewer, 1960
Hogna Simon, 1885
Hognoides Roewer, 1960
Hyaenosa Caporiacco, 1940
Hygrolycosa Dahl, 1908
Kangarosa Framenau, 2010
Katableps Jocqué, Russell-Smith & Alderweireldt, 2011
Knoelle Framenau, 2006
Lobizon Piacentini & Grismado, 2009
Loculla Simon, 1910
Lycosa Latreille, 1804
Lycosella Thorell, 1890
Lysania Thorell, 1890
Mainosa Framenau, 2006
Malimbosa Roewer, 1960
Margonia Hippa & Lehtinen, 1983
Megarctosa Caporiacco, 1948
Melecosa Marusik, Omelko & Koponen, 2015
Melocosa Gertsch, 1937
Minicosa Alderweireldt & Jocqué, 2007
Molitorosa Roewer, 1960
Mongolicosa Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004
Mustelicosa Roewer, 1960
Navira Piacentini & Grismado, 2009
Notocosa Vink, 2002
Nukuhiva Berland, 1935
Oculicosa Zyuzin, 1993
Ocyale Audouin, 1826
Orinocosa Chamberlin, 1916
Ovia Sankaran, Malamel & Sebastian, 2017
Paratrochosina Roewer, 1960
Pardosa C. L. Koch, 1847
Pardosella Caporiacco, 1939
Passiena Thorell, 1890
Pavocosa Roewer, 1960
Phonophilus Ehrenberg, 1831
Pirata Sundevall, 1833
Piratula Roewer, 1960
Portacosa Framenau, 2017
Proevippa Purcell, 1903
Prolycosides Mello-Leitão, 1942
Pseudevippa Simon, 1910
Pterartoria Purcell, 1903
Pyrenecosa Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004
Rabidosa Roewer, 1960
Satta Lehtinen & Hippa, 1979
Schizocosa Chamberlin, 1904
Shapna Hippa & Lehtinen, 1983
Sibirocosa Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004
Sosippus Simon, 1888
Syroloma Simon, 1900
Tapetosa Framenau, Main, Harvey & Waldock, 2009
Tasmanicosa Roewer, 1959
Tetralycosa Roewer, 1960
Tigrosa Brady, 2012
Trabea Simon, 1876
Trabeops Roewer, 1959
Trebacosa Dondale & Redner, 1981
Tricassa Simon, 1910
Trochosa C. L. Koch, 1847
Trochosippa Roewer, 1960
Tuberculosa Framenau & Yoo, 2006
Varacosa Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942
Venator Hogg, 1900
Venatrix Roewer, 1960
Venonia Thorell, 1894
Vesubia Simon, 1910
Wadicosa Zyuzin, 1985
Xerolycosa Dahl, 1908
Zantheres Thorell, 1887
Zenonina Simon, 1898
Zoica Simon, 1898
Zyuzicosa Logunov, 2010
Habitats
Wolf spiders can be 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 burrows 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.
In culture
The Carolina wolf spider (H. carolinensis) is the official state spider of South Carolina, designated as such in 2000. South Carolina is the only U.S. state that recognizes a state spider.[6]
Gallery
Female with egg sac
Female with juveniles
Burrowing wolf spider
Hogna carolinensis
Anoteropsis aerescens
Rabidosa rabida
See also
- List of spiders associated with cutaneous reactions
- List of Lycosidae genera
- List of Lycosidae species
References
^ "Wolf Spiders: Lycosidae Sundevall 1833". Australasian Arachnology Society. Retrieved 2 October 2008..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ Spiders of North America, D. Ubick et al., p. 164
^ Ribeiro, L. A.; Jorge, M. T.; Piesco, R. V.; Nishioka, S. A. (1990). "Wolf spider bites in São Paulo, Brazil: A clinical and epidemiological study of 515 cases". Toxicon. 28 (6): 715–717. doi:10.1016/0041-0101(90)90260-E.
^ Isbister, Geoffrey K.; Framenau, Volker W. (2004). "Australian Wolf Spider Bites (Lycosidae): Clinical Effects and Influence of Species on Bite Circumstances". Clinical Toxicology. 42 (2): 153–161. doi:10.1081/CLT-120030941.
^ "Family Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833 (genus list)", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2018-07-12
^ "Carolina Wolf Spider State Spider". statesymbolsusa.org.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, SC.
Further reading
- Platnick, Norman I. (2008): The world spider catalog, version 8.5. American Museum of Natural History.
External links
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lycosidae. |
 | Wikispecies has information related to Lycosidae |
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)
