NATURE NOTES FROM ACADIA

LYCOSA, THE WOLF SPIDER

We were following a dirt road not far from the Kebo Valley Club when suddenly one of the party who had gone on ahead called my attention to a large dark-colored hairy spider in the road, by far the largest spider I had ever seen in Maine. Taking a cyanide bottle from my knapsack I opened it, held the open end immediately in front of our intended victim, and then coaxed the specimen into it. She came with such a rush that the impact against the bottom of the bottle dislodged fully a dozen spiderlings who had been riding on her back.

This animal proved to be Lycosa carolinensis, the so-called "Wolf Spider" - probably the largest species of spider which is to be found on Mount Desert Island. From the clawed tips of her forefeet to those of her hind feet she measured exactly three inches, while the distance from head to tip of abdomen was slightly over one inch. The entire upper hairy covering was a soft gray-brown without any distinct markings. The eyes, as in most spiders, were eight in number and were arranged in three rows, two in the upper and middle rows and four in the lower row. Those in the lower row were considerably smaller than the upper two pairs of eyes. Below, the hairy covering was for the most part a uniform velvety black. The chelicerae, erroneously known as "mandibles," were coated with amber-colored hairs and at their base, on the lateral face, was a conspicuous smooth, orange-colored articulating condyle. This condyle is especially noticeable when one is looking into the face of the spider. The sight of such a creature would give many people an unnecessary scare, but like all other spiders which are to be found in Maine, the large Wolf Spiders are harmless to mankind.

The generic name of this spider comes from Lycosa, which is from the Greek word for wolf. This name has been given to these large hairy spiders because they are hunters who chase their prey. Other spiders obtain their victims by lying in ambush, by building various kinds of nets or traps, or by living with other spiders and eating at their table.

Lycosa, like certain other spiders, carries her white globular egg sac attached close to her spinnerets by a bundle of threads. After hatching, the young climb onto the back of the mother and may remain with her for some time. They grow by moulting the outer layer of skin from time to time.

Wolf spiders often make turrets of grass and earth at the entrance of their burrows. These turrets serve as watch towers from which prey as well as enemies may be observed to better advantage. As in most other spiders, the sense of sight is poorly developed. After its luckless prey is captured it is sucked dry and the hard parts are left behind since only liquid food is taken into the mouth.

- Ranger-Naturalist