Arctosa

The Arctosa spiders are part of the wolf spider family. There are 169 different kinds of them! That’s a lot, right? These spiders are really interesting, and we’ve gathered some fun facts about them to share with you right here!

Scientific Classification

Arctosa

List of Spiders Belonging To This Genus

  • Arctosa albida
  • Arctosa albopellita
  • Arctosa algerina
  • Arctosa aliusmodi
  • Arctosa alluaudi
  • Arctosa alpigena
  • Arctosa ambigua
  • Arctosa amylaceoides
  • Arctosa andina
  • Arctosa astuta
  • Arctosa atriannulipes
  • Arctosa atroventrosa
  • Arctosa aussereri
  • Arctosa bacchabunda
  • Arctosa bakva
  • Arctosa berlandi
  • Arctosa bicoloripes
  • Arctosa biseriata
  • Arctosa bogotensis
  • Arctosa brauni
  • Arctosa brevispina
  • Arctosa camerunensis
  • Arctosa capensis
  • Arctosa chungjooensis
  • Arctosa cinerea
  • Arctosa coreana
  • Arctosa daisetsuzana
  • Arctosa danzhounensis
  • Arctosa darountaha
  • Arctosa denticulata
  • Arctosa depectinata
  • Arctosa depuncta
  • Arctosa deserta
  • Arctosa dissonans
  • Arctosa ebicha
  • Arctosa edeana
  • Arctosa emertoni
  • Arctosa ephippiata
  • Arctosa epiana
  • Arctosa erythraeana
  • Arctosa excellens
  • Arctosa fessana
  • Arctosa figurata
  • Arctosa frequentissima
  • Arctosa fujiii
  • Arctosa fulvolineata
  • Arctosa fusca
  • Arctosa gougu
  • Arctosa hallasanensis
  • Arctosa harraria
  • Arctosa hikosanensis
  • Arctosa himalayensis
  • Arctosa hottentotta
  • Arctosa humicola
  • Arctosa hunanensis
  • Arctosa inconspicua
  • Arctosa indica
  • Arctosa insignita
  • Arctosa intricaria
  • Arctosa ipsa
  • Arctosa janetscheki
  • Arctosa kadjahkaia
  • Arctosa kansuensis
  • Arctosa kassenjea
  • Arctosa kawabe
  • Arctosa kazibana
  • Arctosa keniana
  • Arctosa keumjeungsana
  • Arctosa khudiensis
  • Arctosa kiangsiensis
  • Arctosa kirkiana
  • Arctosa kiwuana
  • Arctosa kolosvaryi
  • Arctosa kwangreungensis
  • Arctosa labiata
  • Arctosa laccophila
  • Arctosa lacupemba
  • Arctosa lacustris
  • Arctosa lagodechiensis
  • Arctosa lama
  • Arctosa laminata
  • Arctosa lawrencei
  • Arctosa leaeniformis
  • Arctosa leopardus
  • Arctosa lesserti
  • Arctosa letourneuxi
  • Arctosa lightfooti
  • Arctosa litigiosa
  • Beach Wolf Spider (Arctosa littoralis)
  • Arctosa liujiapingensis
  • Arctosa lutetiana
  • Arctosa maculata
  • Arctosa maderana
  • Arctosa marfieldi
  • Arctosa marocensis
  • Arctosa meinerti
  • Arctosa meitanensis
  • Arctosa minuta
  • Arctosa mittensa
  • Arctosa mossambica
  • Arctosa mulani
  • Arctosa nava
  • Arctosa niccensis
  • Arctosa ningboensis
  • Arctosa nivosa
  • Arctosa nonsignata
  • Arctosa nyembeensis
  • Arctosa obscura
  • Arctosa oneili
  • Arctosa otaviensis
  • Arctosa pardosina
  • Arctosa pargongensis
  • Arctosa pelengea
  • Arctosa perita
  • Arctosa personata
  • Arctosa pichoni
  • Arctosa picturella
  • Arctosa poecila
  • Arctosa politana
  • Arctosa promontorii
  • Arctosa pseudoleopardus
  • Arctosa pugil
  • Arctosa pungcheunensis
  • Arctosa quadripunctata
  • Arctosa quinquedens
  • Arctosa raptor
  • Arctosa ravida
  • Arctosa recurva
  • Arctosa renidescens
  • Arctosa ripaecola
  • Arctosa rubicunda
  • Arctosa rufescens
  • Santa Rosa Wolf Spider (Arctosa sanctaerosae)
  • Arctosa sandeshkhaliensis
  • Arctosa sapiranga
  • Arctosa schensiensis
  • Arctosa schweinfurthi
  • Arctosa scopulitibiis
  • Arctosa serii
  • Arctosa serrulata
  • Arctosa similis
  • Arctosa simoni
  • Arctosa sjostedti
  • Arctosa sordulenta
  • Arctosa springiosa
  • Arctosa stigmosa
  • Arctosa subamylacea
  • Arctosa swatowensis
  • Arctosa tanakai
  • Arctosa tappaensis
  • Arctosa tbilisiensis
  • Arctosa tenuissima
  • Arctosa testacea
  • Arctosa togona
  • Arctosa transvaalana
  • Arctosa tridens
  • Arctosa tridentata
  • Arctosa truncata
  • Arctosa upembana
  • Arctosa vaginalis
  • Arctosa variana
  • Arctosa villica
  • Arctosa virgo
  • Arctosa wittei
  • Arctosa workmani
  • Arctosa xunyangensis
  • Arctosa yasudai
  • Arctosa zhaojingzhaoi
  • Arctosa ziyunensis

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Adult Arctosa spiders typically range from 0.45-1.6 cm (0.18-0.63 in) in size.

Arctosa Size

  • Color: While colors vary in different species, most are varying shades of brown.
  • Other Characteristic Features: To enhance their survival, some species have evolved to have spots on their bodies, allowing them to camouflage seamlessly in their natural habitats.
Arctosa Spider

Eggs

The eggs are laid in a sac, carried by their mother in her abdomen.

Spiderlings

Spiderlings of several species hitch a ride on their mother’s back while moving about.

Arctosa Spiderlings

Photo Credit: Alan West

The Web

Like most other wolf spiders, they generally do not produce a lot of webbing.

Are Arctosa Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Arctosa spiders have venom. They use it to help catch their food, like little bugs. But it’s not very strong for humans.

Can Arctosa Spiders Bite?

They can bite if they’re scared or poked. It might feel like a small pinch, but most people don’t think it’s too bad.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Arctosa Spider

Arctosa spiders play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitats. They contribute significantly to pest control, preying on various insects and mites. Their presence in sandy habitats, often near water, showcases their adaptability and the crucial role they play in these ecosystems. As nocturnal hunters, Arctosa spiders exhibit fascinating behaviors such as burrowing and camouflage, showcasing the incredible diversity in survival strategies among spiders.

Natural Predator: While Arctosa spiders are skilled hunters, they are not without their own set of predators. Other larger spiders and predatory insects pose threats to Arctosa spiders.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: In the complex web of life, Arctosa spiders hold a pivotal role as both predators and prey. Their hunting skills help control populations of smaller insects and mites, while their presence in the food chain provides sustenance for other predators.

Relationship with Humans: Arctosa spiders, despite their venomous nature, are generally harmless to humans and can even be beneficial in controlling populations of pests. Their discreet nature and preference for less disturbed habitats mean that interactions with humans are minimal. However, it is crucial for humans to understand and appreciate the role of Arctosa spiders in nature, promoting conservation efforts to protect their habitats and ensure their survival.

Arctosa Image

Quick Facts

Lifespan2-4 months
DistributionCanada, Poland, Serbia, Spain, and the United States
HabitatCrevices between rocks in sandy habitats, both terrestrial and close to water
Common PredatorsOther spiders
DietInsects and mites
Arctosa Picture

Did You Know

  • German entomologist and arachnologist Carl Ludwig Koch first described this genus of spiders in 1847.

In conclusion, from their diverse species and unique behaviors to their crucial ecological roles, Arctosa spiders embody the complexity of the arachnid world. 

The Arctosa spiders are part of the wolf spider family. There are 169 different kinds of them! That’s a lot, right? These spiders are really interesting, and we’ve gathered some fun facts about them to share with you right here!

Arctosa

List of Spiders Belonging To This Genus

  • Arctosa albida
  • Arctosa albopellita
  • Arctosa algerina
  • Arctosa aliusmodi
  • Arctosa alluaudi
  • Arctosa alpigena
  • Arctosa ambigua
  • Arctosa amylaceoides
  • Arctosa andina
  • Arctosa astuta
  • Arctosa atriannulipes
  • Arctosa atroventrosa
  • Arctosa aussereri
  • Arctosa bacchabunda
  • Arctosa bakva
  • Arctosa berlandi
  • Arctosa bicoloripes
  • Arctosa biseriata
  • Arctosa bogotensis
  • Arctosa brauni
  • Arctosa brevispina
  • Arctosa camerunensis
  • Arctosa capensis
  • Arctosa chungjooensis
  • Arctosa cinerea
  • Arctosa coreana
  • Arctosa daisetsuzana
  • Arctosa danzhounensis
  • Arctosa darountaha
  • Arctosa denticulata
  • Arctosa depectinata
  • Arctosa depuncta
  • Arctosa deserta
  • Arctosa dissonans
  • Arctosa ebicha
  • Arctosa edeana
  • Arctosa emertoni
  • Arctosa ephippiata
  • Arctosa epiana
  • Arctosa erythraeana
  • Arctosa excellens
  • Arctosa fessana
  • Arctosa figurata
  • Arctosa frequentissima
  • Arctosa fujiii
  • Arctosa fulvolineata
  • Arctosa fusca
  • Arctosa gougu
  • Arctosa hallasanensis
  • Arctosa harraria
  • Arctosa hikosanensis
  • Arctosa himalayensis
  • Arctosa hottentotta
  • Arctosa humicola
  • Arctosa hunanensis
  • Arctosa inconspicua
  • Arctosa indica
  • Arctosa insignita
  • Arctosa intricaria
  • Arctosa ipsa
  • Arctosa janetscheki
  • Arctosa kadjahkaia
  • Arctosa kansuensis
  • Arctosa kassenjea
  • Arctosa kawabe
  • Arctosa kazibana
  • Arctosa keniana
  • Arctosa keumjeungsana
  • Arctosa khudiensis
  • Arctosa kiangsiensis
  • Arctosa kirkiana
  • Arctosa kiwuana
  • Arctosa kolosvaryi
  • Arctosa kwangreungensis
  • Arctosa labiata
  • Arctosa laccophila
  • Arctosa lacupemba
  • Arctosa lacustris
  • Arctosa lagodechiensis
  • Arctosa lama
  • Arctosa laminata
  • Arctosa lawrencei
  • Arctosa leaeniformis
  • Arctosa leopardus
  • Arctosa lesserti
  • Arctosa letourneuxi
  • Arctosa lightfooti
  • Arctosa litigiosa
  • Beach Wolf Spider (Arctosa littoralis)
  • Arctosa liujiapingensis
  • Arctosa lutetiana
  • Arctosa maculata
  • Arctosa maderana
  • Arctosa marfieldi
  • Arctosa marocensis
  • Arctosa meinerti
  • Arctosa meitanensis
  • Arctosa minuta
  • Arctosa mittensa
  • Arctosa mossambica
  • Arctosa mulani
  • Arctosa nava
  • Arctosa niccensis
  • Arctosa ningboensis
  • Arctosa nivosa
  • Arctosa nonsignata
  • Arctosa nyembeensis
  • Arctosa obscura
  • Arctosa oneili
  • Arctosa otaviensis
  • Arctosa pardosina
  • Arctosa pargongensis
  • Arctosa pelengea
  • Arctosa perita
  • Arctosa personata
  • Arctosa pichoni
  • Arctosa picturella
  • Arctosa poecila
  • Arctosa politana
  • Arctosa promontorii
  • Arctosa pseudoleopardus
  • Arctosa pugil
  • Arctosa pungcheunensis
  • Arctosa quadripunctata
  • Arctosa quinquedens
  • Arctosa raptor
  • Arctosa ravida
  • Arctosa recurva
  • Arctosa renidescens
  • Arctosa ripaecola
  • Arctosa rubicunda
  • Arctosa rufescens
  • Santa Rosa Wolf Spider (Arctosa sanctaerosae)
  • Arctosa sandeshkhaliensis
  • Arctosa sapiranga
  • Arctosa schensiensis
  • Arctosa schweinfurthi
  • Arctosa scopulitibiis
  • Arctosa serii
  • Arctosa serrulata
  • Arctosa similis
  • Arctosa simoni
  • Arctosa sjostedti
  • Arctosa sordulenta
  • Arctosa springiosa
  • Arctosa stigmosa
  • Arctosa subamylacea
  • Arctosa swatowensis
  • Arctosa tanakai
  • Arctosa tappaensis
  • Arctosa tbilisiensis
  • Arctosa tenuissima
  • Arctosa testacea
  • Arctosa togona
  • Arctosa transvaalana
  • Arctosa tridens
  • Arctosa tridentata
  • Arctosa truncata
  • Arctosa upembana
  • Arctosa vaginalis
  • Arctosa variana
  • Arctosa villica
  • Arctosa virgo
  • Arctosa wittei
  • Arctosa workmani
  • Arctosa xunyangensis
  • Arctosa yasudai
  • Arctosa zhaojingzhaoi
  • Arctosa ziyunensis

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Adult Arctosa spiders typically range from 0.45-1.6 cm (0.18-0.63 in) in size.

Arctosa Size

  • Color: While colors vary in different species, most are varying shades of brown.
  • Other Characteristic Features: To enhance their survival, some species have evolved to have spots on their bodies, allowing them to camouflage seamlessly in their natural habitats.
Arctosa Spider

Eggs

The eggs are laid in a sac, carried by their mother in her abdomen.

Spiderlings

Spiderlings of several species hitch a ride on their mother’s back while moving about.

Arctosa Spiderlings

Photo Credit: Alan West

The Web

Like most other wolf spiders, they generally do not produce a lot of webbing.

Are Arctosa Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Arctosa spiders have venom. They use it to help catch their food, like little bugs. But it’s not very strong for humans.

Can Arctosa Spiders Bite?

They can bite if they’re scared or poked. It might feel like a small pinch, but most people don’t think it’s too bad.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Arctosa Spider

Arctosa spiders play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitats. They contribute significantly to pest control, preying on various insects and mites. Their presence in sandy habitats, often near water, showcases their adaptability and the crucial role they play in these ecosystems. As nocturnal hunters, Arctosa spiders exhibit fascinating behaviors such as burrowing and camouflage, showcasing the incredible diversity in survival strategies among spiders.

Natural Predator: While Arctosa spiders are skilled hunters, they are not without their own set of predators. Other larger spiders and predatory insects pose threats to Arctosa spiders.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: In the complex web of life, Arctosa spiders hold a pivotal role as both predators and prey. Their hunting skills help control populations of smaller insects and mites, while their presence in the food chain provides sustenance for other predators.

Relationship with Humans: Arctosa spiders, despite their venomous nature, are generally harmless to humans and can even be beneficial in controlling populations of pests. Their discreet nature and preference for less disturbed habitats mean that interactions with humans are minimal. However, it is crucial for humans to understand and appreciate the role of Arctosa spiders in nature, promoting conservation efforts to protect their habitats and ensure their survival.

Arctosa Image

Quick Facts

Lifespan2-4 months
DistributionCanada, Poland, Serbia, Spain, and the United States
HabitatCrevices between rocks in sandy habitats, both terrestrial and close to water
Common PredatorsOther spiders
DietInsects and mites
Arctosa Picture

Did You Know

  • German entomologist and arachnologist Carl Ludwig Koch first described this genus of spiders in 1847.

In conclusion, from their diverse species and unique behaviors to their crucial ecological roles, Arctosa spiders embody the complexity of the arachnid world.