Bug Identifier
Wolf Spider
Community identification

Wolf Spider

Family Lycosidae

Order & Family
Araneae, Lycosidae
Size
10 to 35 mm (0.4 to 1.38 inches) in body length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in a wide range of habitats including grasslands, forests, gardens, and near human dwellings, often hiding under leaves, stones, or in burrows.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; they are ground hunters that eat insects, other spiders, and small invertebrates.

Behavior Patterns

Solitary nocturnal hunters that do not spin webs to catch prey. They have excellent eyesight and are known for mothers carrying their egg sacs on their spinnerets and then carrying spiderlings on their backs.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pest populations. Generally harmless to humans; while they can bite if provoked, their venom is not medically significant and usually results in mild redness or swelling.