Editing Wolf spider

{{Short description|Family of spiders}}
{{about|the family of spiders|the DC Comics character|Wolf Spider (DC Comics)}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|Paleogene|present}}
| name = Wolf spiders
| image = Wolf spider tunnel.jpg
| taxon = Lycosidae
| authority = [[Carl Jakob Sundevall|Sundevall]], 1833
| range_map = Distribution.lycosidae.1.png
| range_map_caption = {{legend0|#00ff00|&nbsp;approximate global range}}
| subdivision_ranks = 
| subdivision = 
| diversity = [[#Genera|129 genera]], [[List of Lycosidae species|2457 species]]
}}
'''Wolf spiders''' are members of the [[Family (biology)|family]] '''Lycosidae''' ({{etymology|grc|''{{wikt-lang|grc|λύκος}}'' ({{grc-transl|λύκος}})|wolf}}), named for their robust and agile hunting skills and excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and usually do not spin [[spider web|web]]s. Some are opportunistic [[Hunting|hunters]], pouncing upon [[Predation|prey]] as they find it or chasing it over short distances; others wait for passing prey in or near the mouth of a burrow. Wolf spiders resemble [[nursery web spider]]s (family Pisauridae), but wolf spiders carry their egg sacs by attaching them to their [[spinneret]]s, while the Pisauridae carry their egg sacs with their [[chelicerae]] and [[pedipalp]]s. Two of the wolf spider's eight eyes are large and prominent; this distinguishes them from nursery web spiders, whose eyes are all of roughly equal size. This can also help distinguish them from the similar-looking [[Agelenidae|grass spider]]s.

==Description==
[[Image:Wolf eyes for guide.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Eye configuration of a ''[[Hogna]]'' species]]
The many genera of wolf spiders range in body size (legs not included) from less than {{cvt|0.4|to|1.38|in|mm|order=flip|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australasian-arachnology.org/arachnology/araneae/lycosidae |title=Wolf Spiders: Lycosidae Sundevall 1833 |work=Australasian Arachnology Society |access-date=2 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | edition = 2| publisher = American Arachnological Society| isbn = 978-0-9980146-0-9 | first1 = Darrell | last1 = Ubick | first2 = Pierre | last2 = Paquin |first3 = Paula | last3 = Cushing | first4 = Vincent | last4 = Roth | others=Illustrated by Nadine Dupérré | title = Spiders of North America: an identification manual | location = Keene, New Hampshire | date = 2017}}</ref> They have eight eyes arranged in three rows. The bottom row consists of four small eyes, the middle row has two very large eyes (which distinguishes them from the [[Pisauridae]]), and the top row has two medium-sized eyes. Unlike most other arachnids, which are generally blind or have poor vision, wolf spiders have excellent eyesight.

The ''[[tapetum lucidum]]'' is a retroreflective tissue found in eyes. This reflective tissue is only found in four<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/this-is-how-to-find-the-spiders-that-are-staring-at-you-1721584332 |title=This Is How to Find the Spiders That Are Staring At You in the Dark |website=Gizmodo.com |last=Smith-Strickland |first=Kiona |date=8 February 2015 |access-date=23 July 2021 |quote=Most spiders have eight eyes. In some species — mostly those that hunt for their prey, like wolf spiders, four of those eyes have an iridescent layer behind their retinas, called a tapetum.}}</ref> [[Spider#Eyes|secondary eyes]] of the wolf spider. Flashing a beam of light over the spider produces eyeshine; this eyeshine can be seen when the lighting source is roughly [[coaxial]] with the viewer or sensor.<ref>2013: [http://www.americanarachnology.org/JoA_free/JoA_v41_n1/arac-41-1-43.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113013117/http://www.americanarachnology.org/JoA_free/JoA_v41_n1/arac-41-1-43.pdf|date=2020-01-13}} "In the [[lycosoid]] spiders, the secondary eyes possess a grate-shaped tapetum lucidum that reflects light, causing eyeshine when these spiders are viewed with approximately coaxial illumination."</ref> The light from the light source (e.g., a flashlight or sunlight) has been reflected from the spider's eyes directly back toward its source, producing a "glow" that is easily noticed. Wolf spiders possess the third-best eyesight of all spider groups, bettered by [[jumping spider]]s of the family Salticidae (which can distinguish colors) and the [[huntsman spider]]s of the family Sparassidae.
[[File:Hogna lenta 18.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Anatomical_terms_of_location#Dorsal_and_ventral|Dorsal]] aspect of ''[[Hogna lenta]]'', a typical wolf spider]]
[[File:Lycosidae female carrying young.jpg|thumb|upright|250px|A female wolf spider carrying her young on her back]]
Wolf spiders are unique in the way that they carry their eggs. The egg sac, a round, silken globe, is attached to the spinnerets at the end of the abdomen, allowing the spider to carry her unhatched young with her. The abdomen must be held in a raised position to keep the egg case from dragging on the ground. Despite this handicap, they are still capable of hunting. Another aspect unique to wolf spiders is their method of caring for their young. Immediately after the spiderlings emerge from their protective silken case, they clamber up their mother's legs and crowd onto the dorsal side of her abdomen. The mother carries the spiderlings for several weeks before they are large enough to disperse and fend for themselves.

Because they depend on [[crypsis|camouflage]] for protection, they do not have the flashy appearance of some other kinds of spiders. In general, their coloration is appropriate to their favorite habitat.

''[[Hogna]]'' is the genus with the largest of the wolf spiders. Among the ''Hogna'' species in the U.S., the nearly solid dark brown ''[[Hogna carolinensis|H.&nbsp;carolinensis]]'' (Carolina wolf spider) is the largest, with a body that can be more than {{cvt|2.5|cm|0|abbr=on}} long. It is sometimes confused with [[Hogna helluo|''H.&nbsp;helluo'']], which is somewhat smaller and different in coloration. The underside of ''H.&nbsp;carolinensis'' is solid black, but the underside of ''H.&nbsp;helluo'' is variegated and has reds, oranges, and yellows with shades of black.

Some members of the Lycosidae, such as ''H.&nbsp;carolinensis'', make deep, tubular burrows where they often lurk. Others, such as ''H.&nbsp;helluo'', seek shelter under rocks and other shelters as nature may provide. As with spiders in general, males of almost any species can sometimes be found inside homes and buildings as they wander searching for females during the autumn.

Wolf spiders play an important role in natural population control of insects and are often considered "[[beneficial bug]]s" due to their [[biological pest control|predation of pest species]] within farms and gardens.<ref name="Xerces">{{cite book |author1=The Xerces Society |title=Farming with Native Beneficial Insects: Ecological Pest Control Solutions |date=2014 |publisher=Storey Publishing |location=North Adams, Massachusetts |isbn=9781612122830 |pages=204–205}}</ref>

===Venom===

Wolf spiders inject [[Spider bite|venom]] if continually provoked. Symptoms of their bites include swelling and mild pain. In the past, [[necrotic]] bites have been attributed to some South American<ref name=":0" /> and Australian<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |last1=Isbister |first1=Geoffrey K. |last2=Framenau |first2=Volker W. |year=2004 |title=Australian Wolf Spider Bites (Lycosidae): Clinical Effects and Influence of Species on Bite Circumstances |journal=[[Clinical Toxicology]] |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=153–161 |doi=10.1081/CLT-120030941 |pmid=15214620 |s2cid=24310728 }}</ref> species, but further investigation has indicated that those problems that did occur were probably due to bites by members of other families<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Ribeiro |first1=L. A. |last2=Jorge |first2=M. T. |last3=Piesco |first3=R. V. |last4=Nishioka |first4=S. A. |year=1990 |title=Wolf spider bites in São Paulo, Brazil: A clinical and epidemiological study of 515 cases |journal=[[Toxicon]] |volume=28 |issue=6 |pages=715–717 |doi=10.1016/0041-0101(90)90260-E |pmid=2402765 }}</ref> or did not induce those effects.<ref name=":1" />

==Genera==
{{main|List of Lycosidae species}}
{{as of|2022|06}}, the [[World Spider Catalog]] accepted these genera:<ref name=NMBE>{{cite web| title=Family: Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833| website=World Spider Catalog| access-date=2019-04-22| publisher=Natural History Museum Bern| url=http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/family/51}}</ref>

{{div col}}
* ''[[Acantholycosa]]'' <small>Dahl, 1908</small>—Asia, Europe, North America
* ''[[Kauaʻi cave wolf spider|Adelocosa]]'' <small>Gertsch, 1973</small>—Hawaii
* ''[[Agalenocosa]]'' <small>Mello-Leitão, 1944</small>—South America, Oceania, Mexico, India
* ''[[Aglaoctenus]]'' <small>Tullgren, 1905</small>—South America
* ''[[Algidus]]'' <small>New York, 1975</small>—United States
* ''[[Allocosa]]'' <small>Banks, 1900</small>—Oceania, North America, Africa, South America, Costa Rica, Asia, Europe
* ''[[Allotrochosina]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Australia, New Zealand
* ''[[Alopecosa]]'' <small>Simon, 1885</small>—Asia, Europe, South America, Africa, North America, Oceania
* ''[[Amblyothele]]'' <small>Simon, 1910</small>—Africa
* ''[[Anomalomma]]'' <small>Simon, 1890</small>—Pakistan, Indonesia, Zimbabwe
* ''[[Anomalosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Australia
* ''[[Anoteropsis]]'' <small>L. Koch, 1878</small>—New Zealand, Papua New Guinea
* ''[[Arctosa]]'' <small>C. L. Koch, 1847</small>—Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, North America, Vanuatu
* ''[[Arctosippa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Peru
* ''[[Arctosomma]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Ethiopia
* ''[[Artoria]]'' <small>Thorell, 1877</small>—Oceania, Africa, Asia
* ''[[Artoriellula]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—South Africa, Indonesia
* ''[[Artoriopsis]]'' <small>Framenau, 2007</small>—Australia, New Zealand
* ''[[Aulonia]]'' <small>C. L. Koch, 1847</small>—Turkey
* ''[[Auloniella]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Tanzania
* ''[[Birabenia]]'' <small>Mello-Leitão, 1941</small>—Argentina, Uruguay
* ''[[Bogdocosa]]'' <small>Ponomarev & Belosludtsev, 2008</small>—Asia
* ''[[Brevilabus]]'' <small>Strand, 1908</small>—Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ethiopia
* ''[[Bristowiella]]'' <small>Saaristo, 1980</small>—Comoros, Seychelles
* ''[[Camptocosa]]'' <small>Dondale, Jiménez & Nieto, 2005</small>—United States, Mexico
* ''[[Caporiaccosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Ethiopia
* ''[[Caspicosa]]'' <small>Ponomarev, 2007</small>—Kazakhstan, Russia
* ''[[Costacosa]]'' <small>Framenau & Leung, 2013</small>—Australia
* ''[[Crocodilosa]]'' <small>Caporiacco, 1947</small>—India, Myanmar, Egypt
* ''[[Cynosa]]'' <small>Caporiacco, 1933</small>—North Africa
* ''[[Dejerosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Mozambique
* ''[[Deliriosa]]'' <small>Kovblyuk, 2009</small>—Ukraine
* ''[[Diahogna]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Australia
* ''[[Diapontia]]'' <small>Keyserling, 1877</small>—South America
* ''[[Dingosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1955</small>—Australia, Peru, Brazil
* ''[[Dolocosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—St. Helena
* ''[[Donacosa]]'' <small>Alderweireldt & Jocqué, 1991</small>—Spain
* ''[[Dorjulopirata]]'' <small>Buchar, 1997</small>—Bhutan
* ''[[Draposa]]'' <small>Kronestedt, 2010</small>—Asia
* ''[[Dzhungarocosa]]'' <small>Fomichev & Marusik, 2017</small>—Kazakhstan
* ''[[Edenticosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Equatorial Guinea
* ''[[Evippa]]'' <small>Simon, 1882</small>—Africa, Asia, Spain
* ''[[Evippomma]]'' <small>Roewer, 1959</small>—Africa, Asia
* ''[[Foveosa]]'' <small>Russell-Smith, Alderweireldt & Jocqué, 2007</small>—Africa
* ''[[Geolycosa]]'' <small>Montgomery, 1904</small>—Africa, South America, Asia, North America, Oceania
* ''[[Gladicosa]]'' <small>Brady, 1987</small>—North America
* ''[[Gnatholycosa]]'' <small>Mello-Leitão, 1940</small>—Argentina
* ''[[Gulocosa]]'' <small>Marusik, Omelko & Koponen, 2015</small>—Russia
* ''[[Hesperocosa]]'' <small>Gertsch & Wallace, 1937</small>—United States
* ''[[Hippasa]]'' <small>Simon, 1885</small>—Africa, Asia
* ''[[Hippasella]]'' <small>Mello-Leitão, 1944</small>—Argentina, Peru, Bolivia
* ''[[Hoggicosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Australia
* ''[[Hogna]]'' <small>Simon, 1885</small>—Asia, Africa, South America, North America, Caribbean, Europe, Oceania, Central America
* ''[[Hognoides]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Tanzania, Madagascar
* ''[[Hyaenosa]]'' <small>Caporiacco, 1940</small>—Asia, Africa
* ''[[Hygrolycosa]]'' <small>Dahl, 1908</small>—Asia, Greece
* ''[[Karakumosa]]'' <small>Logunov & Ponomarev, 2020</small>—Asia
* ''[[Kangarosa]]'' <small>Framenau, 2010</small>—Australia
* ''[[Katableps]]'' <small>Jocqué, Russell-Smith & Alderweireldt, 2011</small>—Madagascar
* ''[[Knoelle]]'' <small>Framenau, 2006</small>—Australia
* ''[[Lobizon]]'' <small>Piacentini & Grismado, 2009</small>—Argentina
* ''[[Loculla]]'' <small>Simon, 1910</small>—Iran, Africa
* ''[[Lycosa]]'' <small>Latreille, 1804</small>—North America, Africa, Caribbean, Asia, Oceania, South America, Central America, Europe
* ''[[Lycosella]]'' <small>Thorell, 1890</small>—Indonesia
* ''[[Lysania]]'' <small>Thorell, 1890</small>—China, Malaysia, Indonesia
* ''[[Mainosa]]'' <small>Framenau, 2006</small>—Australia
* ''[[Malimbosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—West Africa
* ''[[Margonia]]'' <small>Hippa & Lehtinen, 1983</small>—India
* ''[[Megarctosa]]'' <small>Caporiacco, 1948</small>—Africa, Asia, Argentina, Greece
* ''[[Melecosa]]'' <small>Marusik, Omelko & Koponen, 2015</small>—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China
* ''[[Melocosa]]'' <small>Gertsch, 1937</small>—North America, Brazil
* ''[[Minicosa]]'' <small>Alderweireldt & Jocqué, 2007</small>—South Africa
* ''[[Molitorosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Brazil
* ''[[Mongolicosa]]'' <small>Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004</small>—Mongolia, China
* ''[[Mustelicosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Ukraine, Asia
* ''[[Navira]]'' <small>Piacentini & Grismado, 2009</small>—Argentina
* ''[[Notocosa]]'' <small>Vink, 2002</small>—New Zealand
* ''[[Nukuhiva]]'' <small>Berland, 1935</small>—Marquesas Is.
* ''[[Oculicosa]]'' <small>Zyuzin, 1993</small>—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
* ''[[Ocyale (spider)|Ocyale]]'' <small>Audouin, 1826</small>—Africa, Peru, Asia
* ''[[Orinocosa]]'' <small>Chamberlin, 1916</small>—South America, Africa, Asia
* ''[[Ovia]]'' <small>Sankaran, Malamel & Sebastian, 2017</small>—India, China, Taiwan
* ''[[Paratrochosina]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Argentina, North America, Russia
* ''[[Pardosa]]'' <small>C. L. Koch, 1847</small>—Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Africa, Caribbean, Oceania, Central America
* ''[[Pardosella]]'' <small>Caporiacco, 1939</small>—Ethiopia, Tanzania
* ''[[Passiena]]'' <small>Thorell, 1890</small>—Africa, Asia
* ''[[Pavocosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Argentina, Brazil, Thailand
* ''[[Phonophilus]]'' <small>Ehrenberg, 1831</small>—Libya
* ''[[Pirata (spider)|Pirata]]'' <small>Sundevall, 1833</small>—South America, Africa, North America, Asia, Cuba, Central America
* ''[[Piratula]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Asia, North America, Ukraine
* ''[[Portacosa]]'' <small>Framenau, 2017</small>—Australia
* ''[[Proevippa]]'' <small>Purcell, 1903</small>—Africa
* ''[[Prolycosides]]'' <small>Mello-Leitão, 1942</small>—Argentina
* ''[[Pseudevippa]]'' <small>Simon, 1910</small>—Namibia
* ''[[Pterartoria]]'' <small>Purcell, 1903</small>—South Africa, Lesotho
* ''[[Pyrenecosa]]'' <small>Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004</small>—Europe
* ''[[Rabidosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—United States
* ''[[Satta cannibalorum|Satta]]'' <small>Lehtinen & Hippa, 1979</small>—Papua New Guinea
* ''[[Schizocosa]]'' <small>Chamberlin, 1904</small>—South America, Asia, Africa, North America, Vanuatu, Central America
* ''[[Shapna]]'' <small>Hippa & Lehtinen, 1983</small>—India
* ''[[Sibirocosa]]'' <small>Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004</small>—Russia
* ''[[Sosippus]]'' <small>Simon, 1888</small>—North America, Central America
* ''[[Syroloma]]'' <small>Simon, 1900</small>—Hawaii
* ''[[Tapetosa]]'' <small>Framenau, Main, Harvey & Waldock, 2009</small>—Australia
* ''[[Tasmanicosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1959</small>—Australia
* ''[[Tetralycosa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Australia
* ''[[Tigrosa]]'' <small>Brady, 2012</small>—North America
* ''[[Trabea (spider)|Trabea]]'' <small>Simon, 1876</small>—Africa, Spain, Turkey
* ''[[Trabeops]]'' <small>Roewer, 1959</small>—North America
* ''[[Trebacosa]]'' <small>Dondale & Redner, 1981</small>—Europe, North America
* ''[[Tricassa]]'' <small>Simon, 1910</small>—Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar
* ''[[Trochosa]]'' <small>C. L. Koch, 1847</small>—North America, Asia, Africa, South America, Oceania, Central America, Europe, Caribbean
* ''[[Trochosippa]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Africa, Indonesia, Argentina
* ''[[Tuberculosa]]'' <small>Framenau & Yoo, 2006</small>—Australia
* ''[[Varacosa]]'' <small>Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942</small>—North America
* ''[[Venator (spider)|Venator]]'' <small>Hogg, 1900</small>—Australia
* ''[[Venatrix]]'' <small>Roewer, 1960</small>—Oceania, Philippines
* ''[[Venonia]]'' <small>Thorell, 1894</small>—Asia, Oceania
* ''[[Vesubia]]'' <small>Simon, 1910</small>—Italy, Russia, Turkmenistan
* ''[[Wadicosa]]'' <small>Zyuzin, 1985</small>—Africa, Asia
* ''[[Xerolycosa]]'' <small>Dahl, 1908</small>—Asia, Tanzania
* ''[[Zantheres]]'' <small>Thorell, 1887</small>—Myanmar
* ''[[Zenonina]]'' <small>Simon, 1898</small>—Africa
* ''[[Zoica]]'' <small>Simon, 1898</small>—Asia, Oceania
* ''[[Zyuzicosa]]'' <small>Logunov, 2010</small>—Asia
{{div col end}}

== Evolutionary history ==
Wolf spiders likely originated after the [[Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event|K–Pg extinction event]] sometime in the late [[Paleocene]], with most main subfamilies likely originating during the Eocene and Early Oligocene between 41 and 32&nbsp;million years ago.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Piacentini|first1=Luis N.|last2=Ramírez|first2=Martín J.|date=2019|title=Hunting the wolf: A molecular phylogeny of the wolf spiders (Araneae, Lycosidae)|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|language=en|volume=136|pages=227–240|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2019.04.004|pmid=30953780|doi-access=}}</ref>

==Habitats==
Wolf spiders are found in a wide range of coastal and inland habitats. These include shrublands, woodland, wet coastal forests, alpine meadows, suburban gardens, and homes. Spiderlings disperse aerially; consequently, wolf spiders have wide distributions. Although some species have very specific [[microhabitat]] needs (such as stream-side gravel beds or [[montane]] herb fields), most are wanderers without permanent homes. Some build [[burrow]]s which can be left open or have a trap door (depending on species). Arid-zone species construct turrets or plug their holes with leaves and pebbles during the rainy season to protect themselves from flood waters. Often, they are found in man-made locations such as sheds and other outdoor equipment.

==Mating behavior==

[[File:Wolf spider and egg sac.jpg|thumb|Female wolf spider carrying her egg sac behind her]]
Many species of wolf spiders possess very complex courtship behaviors and secondary sexual characteristics, such as tufts of bristles on their legs or special colorations, which are most often found on the males of the species. These sexual characteristics vary by species and are most often found as modifications of the first pair of legs.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Framenau|first1=Volker W.|last2=Hebets|first2=Eileen A.|title=A Review of Leg Ornamentation in Male Wolf Spiders, with the Description of a New Species from Australia, Artoria Schizocoides (Araneae, Lycosidae)|date=April 2007|journal=The Journal of Arachnology|volume=35|issue=1|pages=89–101|doi=10.1636/ST06-15.1|issn=0161-8202|doi-access=free}}</ref> First-leg modifications are often divided into elongated bristles on the legs, increased swelling of leg segments, or the full elongation of the first pair of legs compared to the other three pairs. Some mating behaviors are common between wolf spider genera, and many more are species-specific. In the most commonly studied genus of wolf spiders, ''[[Schizocosa]]'', researchers found that all males engage in a seismic component of their courtship display, either [[stridulation]], or drumming their forelegs on the ground, but some also dependent on visual cues in their courtship display, as well as the seismic signaling, such as waving the front two legs in the air in front of the female, concluding that some ''Schizocosa'' species rely on multimodal courtship behaviors.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Vaccaro|first=Rosanna|date=2010|title=Courtship and mating behavior of the wolf spider Schizocosa bilineata (Araneae: Lycosidae)|url=https://bioone.org/journals/the-journal-of-arachnology/volume-38/issue-3/Hi09-115.1/Courtship-and-mating-behavior-of-the-wolf-spider-Schizocosa-bilineata/10.1636/Hi09-115.1.short|journal=The Journal of Arachnology|volume=38|issue=3|pages=452–459|doi=10.1636/Hi09-115.1|s2cid=62890396}}</ref>

The Lycosidae comprise mainly wandering spiders, and as such, population density and male-to-female sex ratio put selective pressures on wolf spiders when finding mates. Female wolf spiders that have already mated are more likely to eat the next male that tries to mate with them than those that have not mated yet. Males that have already mated have a higher probability of successfully mating again, but females that have already mated have a lower probability of mating again.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Wilder|first1=Shawn M.|last2=Rypstra|first2=Ann L.|date=2008-06-12|title=Prior encounters with the opposite sex affect male and female mating behavior in a wolf spider (Araneae, Lycosidae)|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00265-008-0610-8|journal=Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology|volume=62|issue=11|pages=1813–1820|doi=10.1007/s00265-008-0610-8|s2cid=45562125|issn=0340-5443|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==Relationship to humans==
Though wolf spiders do bite humans, their bites are not dangerous. Wolf spider bites often result in mild redness, [[itching]], [[ulcers]], and if the bite wound is not cleaned, it could lead to [[infection]]. However, wolf spiders usually only bite when they feel threatened or mishandled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wolf Spiders |url=https://extension.psu.edu/wolf-spiders |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=extension.psu.edu |language=en}}</ref> 

Wolf spiders are a vital source of natural pest control for many people's gardens or even homes, since the wolf spider preys on perceived pests such as [[crickets]], [[ants]], [[cockroaches]], and in some cases [[lizards]] and [[frogs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Institution |first=Smithsonian |title=Wolf Spider |url=https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/snapshot/wolf-spider |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=Smithsonian Institution |language=en}}</ref> In recent years, wolf spiders have been utilized as pest control in agriculture to reduce the amount of pesticides needed on crops. A notable example is the use of wolf spiders in [[Cranberry|cranberry bogs]] as a means of controlling unwanted crop destruction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bardwell |first=Carolyn |date=February 2014 |title=Predation behavior of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in Predation behavior of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in Massachusetts cranberry bog ecosystems. |url=https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:a6dbc129-239e-36af-8ad3-f8c9315f4357}}</ref>

==In culture==
[[South Carolina]] designated the [[Carolina wolf spider]] (''Hogna carolinensis'') as the official state spider in 2000 due to the efforts of Skyler B. Hutto, a third-grade student at Sheridan Elementary School in [[Orangeburg, South Carolina|Orangeburg]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/query.php?search=DOC&searchtext=seed%25&category=LEGISLATION&session=0&conid=6898422&result_pos=225&keyval=1134277&numrows=25 |title=South Carolina Legislature Online - Search}}</ref>

At the time, South Carolina was the only U.S. state that recognized a state spider.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t01c001.php |title=Code of Laws - Title 1 - Chapter 1 - General Provisions |website=www.scstatehouse.gov}}</ref> In 2015, efforts began to name an official state spider for neighboring North Carolina.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2017/Bills/Senate/PDF/S142v1.pdf |title=Session 2017, SENATE BILL 142}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:2022-04-17 20-41-18 (B,Radius8,Smoothing4) копия 2.jpg|Close-up of ''[[Trochosa ruricola]]''
File:Hogna radiata (AF)-left 01.png|''[[Hogna radiata]]'', adult female
File:Wolf spider on white.jpg|Wolf spider with 3-inch spread
File:20071030 Wolf Spider Carrying Egg Sac (Masked).jpg|Female with egg sac
File:WolfSpider F withYoung.jpg|Female with juveniles
File:Wolf spider attack position.jpg|Burrowing wolf spider
File:CarolinaWolfSpider 02.jpg|''[[Hogna carolinensis]]''
File:Spider NZ Anoteropsis aerescens.jpg|''[[Anoteropsis aerescens]]''
File:Wolfspider on US quarters.jpg|''[[Rabidosa rabida]]''
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of spiders associated with cutaneous reactions]]
*[[List of Lycosidae species]]
* [[Necrobotics]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Platnick, Norman I. (2008): [http://research.amnh.org/entomology/spiders/catalog/index.html The world spider catalog], version 8.5. ''American Museum of Natural History''.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Lycosidae}}
{{Wikispecies|Lycosidae}}
*[http://www.wolfspiders.org Wolf Spider Website] Comprehensive site with info on a range of subject, from habitat, to life-cycle, to myths and facts about bites. Includes videos of Wolf Spiders in the wild and captivity (Accessed September 7, 2015) [https://web.archive.org/web/20200813063014/http://wolfspiders.org/ Archived Link]

{{Araneae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q10627}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lycosidae]]
<!-- [[Category:Spider families]] moved to "Lycosidae" redirect -->