Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2147078
Dotted Wolf Spider
Rabidosa punctulataDotted wolf spiders stalk dense meadows and tall grasses, relying on brisk running speed and sharp eyesight rather than webs to ambush prey. Females actively tote spherical egg sacs attached to their spinnerets and later transport dozens of hatched spiderlings on their backs. During the autumn breeding season, courting males produce rhythmic vibrational signals against dry leaf litter to attract receptive females.
Ground HunterNocturnalArachnid
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Moths
Predators
- Spider wasps
- Insectivorous birds
- Small rodents
ThreatsPesticide use, severe lawn management, and agricultural intensification
HabitatsWeedy fields, tallgrass prairies, pastures, and woodland margins
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyLycosidae
- SpeciesRabidosa punctulata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Bites are rare, mildly painful, and not dangerous; observe safely without handling.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses mild venom used to incapacitate insect prey, which causes localized pain, itching, and minor swelling in humans similar to a bee sting.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognize it by its light-brown base coloration, striped cephalothorax, and speckled pale dots flanking a dark central abdominal band.
- What to do
- Allow the spider to move away undisturbed, and use a container rather than bare hands if relocating one from a structure.
Responsible observation
- Night spotting: Shine a flashlight at eye level across fields to spot the reflective gleam of their eyes.
- Gentle approach: Minimize ground vibration when walking, as sudden thumps trigger a quick retreat into thick turf.
Predator (c) Nathan Odgers, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Mirko Schoenitz · cc0
Relative (c) CK2AZ, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by CK2AZ · cc-by
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