Wolf Spider
Physical Features
Wolf spiders are commonly mistaken for brown recluse spiders, but the violin shaped marking is absent on the wolf spider’s head. Like all spiders they have 8 legs and two body parts. Wolf spiders also are 1 1/2 to 2 inches in length, hairy, brown to gray in color with markings and lines, and have fang-like mouthparts called chelicerae. They have 4 equal sized eyes on the bottom row, and 2 enlarged eyes on the top row.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Wolf spiders develop from an egg, spiderlings, subadult, to an adult. Females lay dozens of eggs that they wrap in a webbed ball/sac and carry with them. Spiderlings climb on the mother’s back after hatching and are carried for several weeks. Young leave mother when they are large enough to hunt. They molt several times until mature. Wolf spiders live several years and are active hunters.
Habits
- Diet: Actively hunt insects and spiders.
- Activity: Nocturnal
- Preferred Climate: Temperate climate
- Defense: Speed, fast moving spiders.
- Cautions: Can bite if disturbed, but not considered dangerous.
- Home Invasion: Primarily occupy the outdoors, but will occasionally roam indoors in search of food or to stay warm during winter. Will be found around doors, windows, houseplants, basements, garages, etc. They will be close to the ground since they are not good climbers.
Helpful Hints for Control
- Remove debris around the home that spiders may inhabit.
- Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Wolf spiders are numerous active hunters that are extremely important to the ecosystem.
