ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Wolf Spider

Wolf Spider


Wolf spider

Wolf spiders do not produce a web. Instead, they stand still and wait for prey to pass by and then lunge on them.


Wolf Spider
Pardosa milvina

At-a-Glance

• Typical Foods: insects (grasshoppers, ants, other spiders, etc.)
Description
This spider is colored with brown, gray, and black hues that serve as camouflage against leaf litter on the ground. They also have large and obvious eyes.

Habitat and Habits
The wolf spider is very common and may be found in forests, fields, and aquatic areas.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
In the spring and summer, the female carries an egg sac attached to her spinnerets. After hatching, the young spiders ride around on their mother's back for about a week before going off on their own.