Wolf spider: Difference between revisions

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Wolf spider (view source)

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Species of wolf spiders are found in a variety of different habitats all over the world. They are ground-dwellers and do not make webs. Although public opinion is that wolf spiders are confined to hot and dry areas, wolf spiders have actually been found in places with an extremely cold climate like the Arctic. They are abundant in alpine and prairie areas. They live mostly on inland regions and generally have very specific microhabitat preferences. For example, their preferences could be as general as a cold climate to a stream-side gravel bed. The wolf spider does not build a web. Instead it either wanders and retreats in vegetation or it builds a silk-lined burrow.[http://www.termite.com/spider-identification.html#wolf] Some of their burrows are open while others have a trapdoor made of leaf litter or grass and silk. Each species has a different type of burrow to help it survive certain conditions. For example, the arid zone species will build turrets to keep floodwaters out.[http://www.amonline.net.au/factSheets/wolf_spiders.htm] Wolf spiders often come indoors seeking warmth in the winter. These pests are discovered near doorways, windows, basements, and other indoor locations. Most often however, the wolf spiders are spotted in gardens or scurrying across the ground in search of prey. Mostly during the night and sometimes during the day, the wolf spider is seen scurrying across the ground in search of prey.[http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/spiderswolf.htm] While they may seem like pests, they serve as an important natural control on harmful insects.
Species of wolf spiders are found in a variety of different habitats all over the world. They are ground-dwellers and do not make webs. Although public opinion is that wolf spiders are confined to hot and dry areas, wolf spiders have actually been found in places with an extremely cold climate like the Arctic. They are abundant in alpine and prairie areas. They live mostly on inland regions and generally have very specific microhabitat preferences. For example, their preferences could be as general as a cold climate to a stream-side gravel bed. The wolf spider does not build a web. Instead it either wanders and retreats in vegetation or it builds a silk-lined burrow.[http://www.termite.com/spider-identification.html#wolf] Some of their burrows are open while others have a trapdoor made of leaf litter or grass and silk. Each species has a different type of burrow to help it survive certain conditions. For example, the arid zone species will build turrets to keep floodwaters out.[http://www.amonline.net.au/factSheets/wolf_spiders.htm] Wolf spiders often come indoors seeking warmth in the winter. These pests are discovered near doorways, windows, basements, and other indoor locations. Most often however, the wolf spiders are spotted in gardens or scurrying across the ground in search of prey. Mostly during the night and sometimes during the day, the wolf spider is seen scurrying across the ground in search of prey.[http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/spiderswolf.htm] While they may seem like pests, they serve as an important natural control on harmful insects.


== Predatory Behavior ==
== Predatorial Behavior ==
The wolf spider is an excellent predator. Instead of waiting to catch prey in their webs, the wolf spider actively hunts. Primarily, they are nocturnal predators and roam the ground in search of prey. Every species has a different predatorial tactic.
The wolf spider is an excellent and voracious predator. Rather than waiting for its prey to come to its web, the wolf spider will roam the ground to hunt down the prey. Primarily, they hunt at night, but each species has its own specific predatorial tactic.[http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_wolf_spider.php]Some wander during the day in vegetation. Others walk across ponds, waiting for prey. Some even retreat to burrows where they wait behind a trap door. [http://www.everythingabout.net/articles/biology/animals/arthropods/arachnids/spiders/wolf_spider/] Despite all of their different adaptations to various environments, all wolf spiders hunt in similar ways. First, it will scurry around an area to find its prey. Then it will hide, whether in a burrow or nearby bush. Finally, it will ambush the unsuspecting insect using its quick speed and strength. The spider will grab the prey with its pedipalps and inject it with poison using its chelicerae. This poison is fatal to insects, but it amounts to the likes of a bee sting for humans.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_spider][http://www.termite.com/spider-identification.html#wolf] [http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761582521/Wolf_Spider.html]
 
The wolf spiders are capable of giving defensive bites, and some South American species may give bites that are medically significant. However, in general their presence works very much in favor of humans wherever they are found.The Wolf Spider is not aggressive but will inject venom freely if continually provoked. Symptoms of its venomous bite include swelling, mild pain and itching. Though usually considered harmless to humans, its bite may be painful. 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.[1] Australian wolf spiders have also been associated with necrotic wounds, but careful study has likewise shown them not to produce such results.[2][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_spider]
 
Wolf spiders are primarily nocturnal predators and are rarely seen during the day.[http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_wolf_spider.php]
 
 
Venom toxicity - the bite of the Wolf Spider is poisonous but not lethal. Although non-aggressive, they bite freely if provoked and should be considered dangerous to humans. The bite may be very painful. First aid and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible, particularly as to children or the elderly. [http://www.termite.com/spider-identification.html#wolf]
 
 
Wolf spiders are active hunters that patrol the ground for insects, small spiders, and similar prey. They do not use webs to capture prey.  Wolf spiders are perhaps the most common Kentucky spiders and are found in all corners of the state and in virtually every habitat.  They live by the thousands in leaf litter and grassy areas.  Some wolf spiders build small burrows and defend a territory, others are free-roaming.  Because they are so numerous, and such voracious predators, wolf spiders are a very important part of any ecosystem in which they occur. [http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/spiders/wolf/wolf.htm]
 
The hunting strategies of wolf spiders are perhaps the most diverse of any spider group. Many are active, wandering hunters during the day in sunny areas along the ground and in vegetation; others hunt at night and remain in silk-lined retreats during the day. Still others live and hunt in aquatic environments, walking on the surface of ponds or on submerged vegetation. Some wolf spiders dig burrows in which they lie in wait for passing insects and other prey. Of the spiders that dig burrows, some add a moveable trap door at the burrow entrance while others build an elevated lookout point. [http://www.everythingabout.net/articles/biology/animals/arthropods/arachnids/spiders/wolf_spider/]
 
Commonly feared due to appearance and large size
Very active spiders that hunt during the day and night
Rapid movers [http://www.wmmg.com/research/insects/wolfspiders.asp]
 
Most wolf spiders are sit-and-wait predators—they wait for unsuspecting prey to pass by and then ambush them. Some wolf spiders dig burrows in which they lie in wait for passing insects and other prey. Of the spiders that dig burrows, some add a moveable trap door at the burrow entrance while others build an elevated lookout point. [http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761582521/Wolf_Spider.html]


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