Arctosa littoralis
This record describes Arctosa littoralis (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Male Palps: Female Epigynum: Eye Arrangement:
Identification notes
Male Palps: Female Epigynum:
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
sandy habitats--beaches, riverbanks, etc.
Geographic Range
Interior British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Panama.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Immature individuals have a dark "V" shape around the eyes, similar to other very young Wolf Spiders . Examples: This is an adult female, with babies:
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Arctosa littoralis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Arctosa littoralis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by cotinis , cheins , Laura P. , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Arctosa littoralis
What is Arctosa littoralis?
Arctosa littoralis is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Arctosa littoralis?
body length 11-15 mm
How do you identify Arctosa littoralis?
Male Palps: Female Epigynum:
Where is Arctosa littoralis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | sandy habitats--beaches, riverbanks, etc. |
| Range | Interior British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Panama. |
What is the life cycle of a Arctosa littoralis?
Immature individuals have a dark V shape around the eyes, similar to other very young Wolf Spiders . Examples: This is an adult female, with babies: