Dotted Wolf Spider
Rabidosa punctulata
This record describes Rabidosa punctulata (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Note that the spots on the ventral abdomen may not be present in younger spiders. Female Male Female with egg sac:
Classification
Diet and Behavior
Life History
This species matures and mates in the fall. Fertilized females overwinter and construct egg sacs in the late winter to spring, with spiderlings emerging from the egg sac about a month after the eggs are laid. It has been noted that mothers can create a second or even a third egg sac after the spiderlings from the first brood have matured and left the mother, and as such juveniles of varying ages can be found at the same time.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Rabidosa punctulata. 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 Dotted Wolf Spider (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , Jeff Hollenbeck , Chuck Entz , ceiseman , chuuuuung
Frequently Asked Questions About Dotted Wolf Spider
What is Dotted Wolf Spider?
Dotted Wolf Spider (Rabidosa punctulata) is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Dotted Wolf Spider?
Note that the spots on the ventral abdomen may not be present in younger spiders. Female Male Female with egg sac:
What is the life cycle of a Dotted Wolf Spider?
This species matures and mates in the fall. Fertilized females overwinter and construct egg sacs in the late winter to spring, with spiderlings emerging from the egg sac about a month after the eggs are laid. It has been noted that mothers can create a second or even a third egg sac after the spiderlings from the first brood have matured and left the mother, and as such juveniles of varying ages can be found at the same time.