Groenland Wolf Spider
Pardosa groenlandica
This record describes Pardosa groenlandica (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Pardosa groenlandica is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. It is found in Russia, Canada, the United States, and Greenland.
Identification notes
Female : Females can also be darker, with less mottling: Epigynum:
Wikipedia reference for Pardosa groenlandica: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pardosa groenlandica.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Northern Quebec to Maine to Michigan west to Utah north to the Northwest Territories.
Seasonal Activity
May - September
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: (Thorell, 1872)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Pardosa groenlandica. 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 Groenland Wolf Spider (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Sloan; Additional contributions by cheins , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Groenland Wolf Spider
What is Groenland Wolf Spider?
Groenland Wolf Spider (Pardosa groenlandica) is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Groenland Wolf Spider?
Female : Females can also be darker, with less mottling: Epigynum:
Where is Groenland Wolf Spider found?
Range: Northern Quebec to Maine to Michigan west to Utah north to the Northwest Territories.
When is Groenland Wolf Spider active?
Groenland Wolf Spider: seasonal activity - May - September.