Lycosidae: The Wolf Spider
pest expert Matthew S. Hess
September 29th, 2023
The wolf spider is known scientifically as Lycosidae, although each species also bears its own scientific name. These spiders are not hostile toward humans unless provoked, are non-venomous, and pose no other significant threats. Though misunderstood, spiders are beneficial insects until they find their way into our homes. Once inside, they become pests that must be eliminated.
The United States and Canada are home to around 250 wolf spider species, with a global population of about 2400. It’s safe to say that not many people would welcome any of these species into their homes. These large, hairy, and agile spiders have an intimidating look that strikes fear in the hearts of arachnophobes. Even those who are only a little afraid of spiders may find the wolf spider intimidating.
Why Are They Called Wolf Spiders?
Wolf spiders get their name from the way they hunt for their food. This family of spiders doesn’t use webs to catch their prey. Instead, they hunt their food like a wolf, except instead of hunting in packs, wolf spiders hunt alone.
This wolf spider has caught a fly.
They may sometimes lie in wait of their prey and pounce upon it once it comes close but their speed and agility are typically used to chase their prey down. Since they are nocturnal, their eyesight is well designed for such skilled hunting after dark.
What Do Wolf Spiders Look Like?
Lycosidae are commonly brown, gray, black, or tan and sport dark markings such as stripes. Their coloration acts as the perfect camouflage for a hunter like the wolf spider. Their sizes vary from about ¼ inch to over an inch in body length alone, and females generally measure larger than males. Some larger species are known to reach nearly five inches in total length.
Lycosidae come in a variety of sizes and colors with varying markings and patterns.
Each of these wolf spiders are well camouflaged for the environment in which they live.
The arrangement of the wolf spider’s eyes is distinct from other spider species but similar to that of the Salticids. Their forwardmost eyes are equally small in size and positioned in a nearly straight row of two pairs. The rearmost eyes are much larger and sit above the foremost eyes. These are arranged in a somewhat V-shaped pattern, with two facing forward and the other two facing left and right, respectively. Their vision is excellent at night which makes them great hunters. Additionally, the tapeta in their larger eyes reflects light, making them easily distinguishable at night.
Each row of eyes can be seen here. Notice the arrangement and different size of the rearmost and foremost rows.
Although only 6 eyes can be clearly seen here, this macro image adds clarity to the wolf spiders’ eye arrangement.
Lycosidae have eyeshine that can be seen at night when a light is shined towards their eyes. The eyes will reflect that light as seen in this picture.
Preferred Habitat of Lycosidae
As previously mentioned, Lycosidae live all across the world. They are solitary spiders and prefer ground habitats. They are likely more common in meadows and grasslands but also thrive in deserts, mountains, rainforests, and even wetlands. In fact, if there is food available (insects), the wolf spider will easily survive.
Many wolf spiders dig burrows, tunnel along naturally formed cavities, or even claim other animal and insect burrows for their own. They may also be found living at the edge of streams or bodies of water, in leaf litter and short vegetation, near rock and gravel, and around sand bars.
This wolf spider is seen leaving its burrow.
Wolf spiders live in a variety of habitats including beaches and deserts.
Lycosidae can be seen around the edge of bodies of water and in wetlands.
Life Cycle
The mating ritual can be dangerous for male Lycosidae. Although many survive to mate again, the female often kills and consumes the male following the nuptial occasion. Once mated, the female cares for the eggs and spiderlings alone. She will search for an isolated area where she will lay up to a hundred or more eggs before encasing them in a silken egg sac. Unique to the wolf spider is that the female will often carry the egg sac with her until it hatches.
Once ready to hatch, the female opens the egg sac to allow the spiderlings out. These spiderlings will cling to their mother’s legs and body for several days and up to a few weeks as she protects them. When ready, the spiderlings will begin feeding themselves and will no longer cling to their mother.
Wolf Spiders mating.
Females use their spinnerets to carry their egg sacs until hatching begins.
Lycosidae spiderlings attach to their mother’s body and legs and remain there up to a few weeks until they are ready to be on their own.
Lycosidae Food Sources
The wolf spider, with its exceptional nocturnal vision and wolf-like hunting abilities, is an adept predator. They prey on a diverse array of ground-dwelling insects and arachnids, as well as small amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Its diet comprises an extensive range of food sources, including but not limited to grasshoppers, crickets, ants, earwigs, flies, small rodents, frogs, and lizards. However, larger rodents, lizards, and birds such as turkeys may prey upon the wolf spider.
Wolf spiders hunt several insects including flying insects like this June Bug.
Ants make a great prey for the Wolf Spider.
The wolf spider eats a variety of insects, small reptiles, small amphibians, and even some small mammals.
Dangers To Humans
Lycosidae are beneficial spiders and help control many insects and other small creatures. Since they have rather large fangs, their bites can be painful. However, they are non-venomous and only bite if provoked. Though bites may be rare, it’s better not to handle them unless properly trained to do so. Provocation can occur inadvertently, for instance, if the spider is pressed upon, stepped on, mishandled, or otherwise trapped against our skin. No known species within North America poses any threat to humans.
This macro image shows the fangs of Lycosidae. Although non-venomous, these fangs can inflict a great deal of pain.
Lycosidae Indoors
Wolf spiders may occasionally find their way indoors, particularly in crawlspaces and basements. Though they do not pose a genuine danger to humans, they can elicit fear and thus should be dealt with appropriately. Fortunately, if food sources are limited, wolf spiders are unlikely to survive long enough to reproduce indoors. If they do thrive, it may be an indication of other underlying pest issues that need to be addressed.
Once indoors, the smaller brown Lycosidae are sometimes mistaken for brown recluses. To avoid confusion, having a basic understanding of the brown recluse can help. However, the most telling signs are quite simple. The wolf spider is distinguishable by its hairiness, eight eyes (one row of four large and one row of four small), banded legs, larger size, faster movement, and higher frequency of sightings. In contrast, brown recluses are sleeker and shinier, lack leg banding, and have only six eyes of equal size arranged in three pairs in a single curved row. They are also smaller and less commonly seen.
Brown wolf spiders like this one pictured, are often confused for the venomous Brown Recluse.
Although many untrained persons may confuse brown wolf spiders and brown recluse (like this one pictured) the similarities are few.
Putting A Stop To Wolf Spiders Indoors
If wolf spiders have infiltrated your residential or commercial property, there may be underlying issues to address. First and foremost, it is important to determine their means of entry. If they are entering through cracks and crevices, it may be necessary to enlist the services of a structural sealant professional like Four Seasons Pest Solutions. This type of service is designed to minimize and eliminate entry points that pests utilize to gain access to the interior of a structure. For more information on this topic, please click HERE.
Another factor that may contribute to the presence of wolf spiders indoors is the availability of preferred food sources. If there is a lack of sustenance, the spiders will not be able to survive for long. Therefore, if you notice a thriving population of wolf spiders inside, it is likely that other pests are present as well. To address this issue, it is recommended that a regular pest control maintenance plan be implemented to reduce the availability of food sources and ultimately eliminate the spiders.
If an occasional wolf spider inadvertently makes its way inside, it will likely perish within a few days to a week if there is no food available. Furthermore, sighting a lone wolf spider does not necessarily indicate the presence of an infestation. Engaging the services of a reputable pest control company, such as Four Seasons Pest Solutions, can provide an opportunity for an inspection to determine whether an infestation is present.
DIY Control Methods
If you choose to use DIY insecticides to control Lycosidae, it’s best to remember that you should concentrate on eliminating their food source. Discovering their food source and eliminating it will subsequently reduce and eliminate the spider population. Concentrating solely on treating wolf spiders may lead to ineffective control measures.
Several types of insecticides are readily available for purchase that claim to control a variety of insects. Finding the proper insecticide to control the specific pests present in your home means doing a little research. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to real pest control. Additionally, some DIY methods like fogging or “bombing” can be dangerous.
Hiring a Professional
If you’re like most Americans, you won’t be able to sleep well knowing there’s a wolf spider loose in your home. Here at Four Seasons Pest Solutions, we understand the need to live a peaceable and pest-free life. Our proficient team is available to inspect your home and develop a plan to eliminate food sources and conducive conditions that may allow wolf spider populations to flourish.
Our trained and certified staff of pest experts, salesmen, inspectors, and technicians are ready to go to work for you!
It’s good to have Four Seasons on your side!
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