Spotted wolf spider

Spotted wolf spider (Pardosa amentata)

Web: wolf spiders don’t make a catching web, but are active hunters that use their legs and jaws to immobilize prey. The Spotted wolf spider hunts predominantly during the day.

Habitat: occurs in open habitat such as parcs, gardens, fields,… Mostly in rather humid conditions. Can be very frequent.

How to recognize:

• cephalothorax (dark)brown, with a lighter midstripe that is often “chalice-shaped” in front
• abdomen dark with an unclear drawing, but often two dark spots stand out
• legs yellow/dark annulated
• ♂: darker colour, with palps almost black.

Looks similar to:

• several other Pardosa species. That is why investigating the reproductive structures using a stereomicroscope gives a definitive identification.

Size

♀: 5,5-8 mm

♂: 5-6,5 mm

When?

♀: April till July

♂: April till July