Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Arachnida

• Order: Araneae

• Family: Lycosidae

Common Names

• Wolf Spider

Identification

• Appearance: Stout, robust body with long, strong legs. Often characterized by their distinctive eye arrangement: four small eyes in the bottom row, two large eyes in the middle row, and two medium-sized eyes in the top row.

• Size: Varies by species; typically ranges from 10 to 35 mm in body length.

• Color: Generally brown, grey, or tan with various markings, often providing camouflage against natural backgrounds.

Habitat

• Distribution: Found worldwide in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, and human habitations.

• Natural Habitat: Prefer ground-level environments where they can hunt for prey. Often found under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and in burrows.

Ecological Role

• Diet: Carnivorous, primarily feeding on insects and other small arthropods. They are active hunters, not web-builders, and use their speed and agility to capture prey.

• Predators: Predated upon by birds, reptiles, amphibians, and larger mammals.

Behavior

• Reproduction: Females carry their egg sacs attached to their spinnerets. After hatching, the spiderlings often ride on the mother's back for a short period.

• Activity Patterns: Mostly nocturnal hunters, but some species are active during the day. They rely on their excellent vision and quick movements to capture prey.

Conservation and Management

• Status: Most species are not considered endangered and are widespread. However, habitat destruction and pesticide use can negatively impact local populations.

• Conservation Needs: Preserving natural habitats and reducing pesticide use can help maintain healthy populations of wolf spiders, which are beneficial for controlling insect populations.

Research

• Ongoing studies might include their hunting behavior, ecological roles, physiological adaptations to different environments, and their use as bioindicators for ecosystem health.