Rabid Wolf Spider
Rabidosa rabida
This record describes Rabidosa rabida (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
The ground color is yellow, with brownish to black longitudinal stripes. In this species, the median dark band of the abdomen is broken and encloses lighter areas. The male has leg I dark brown or black. The venter does not have the significant black coloration or large black spots seen on similar species, such as R. punctulata or R. carrana . Juvenile: Female: Ventral: Male:
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US (TX-FL-ME-NE) / Mex. - Map (GBIF)
Seasonal Activity
mostly: Mar-Nov (GBIF)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
This species overwinters as juveniles, which mature in early summer to midsummer. Mating and egg sac construction occurs in midsummer to early fall, and mature females with babies are observed in the fall. These date ranges may vary depending on the local climate.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: rabida (L.) unfavorable behavior, furious. Presumably a reference to its fast movement.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Rabidosa rabida. 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 Rabid Wolf Spider (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Jeff Hollenbeck , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , kschnei , jsloan , chuuuuung
Frequently Asked Questions About Rabid Wolf Spider
What is Rabid Wolf Spider?
Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida) is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Rabid Wolf Spider?
Length of female 16 to 21 mm; of male 11 to 12 mm .
How do you identify Rabid Wolf Spider?
The ground color is yellow, with brownish to black longitudinal stripes. In this species, the median dark band of the abdomen is broken and encloses lighter areas. The male has leg I dark brown or black. The venter does not have the significant black coloration or large black spots seen on similar species, such as R. punctulata or R. carrana . Juvenile: Female: Ventral: Male:
Where is Rabid Wolf Spider found?
Range: e. US (TX-FL-ME-NE) / Mex. - Map (GBIF)
When is Rabid Wolf Spider active?
Rabid Wolf Spider: seasonal activity - mostly: Mar-Nov (GBIF).
What is the life cycle of a Rabid Wolf Spider?
This species overwinters as juveniles, which mature in early summer to midsummer. Mating and egg sac construction occurs in midsummer to early fall, and mature females with babies are observed in the fall. These date ranges may vary depending on the local climate.