WOLF SPIDER - Rabidosa rabida

Moved

… Ken Wolgemuth, 30 January, 2010 - 6:51pm

Sizes...

Does that wood actually measure two inches by two inches, or was it purchased as a "two-by-two". A standard softwood 2x2 actually measures 1½" by 1½".

Either way, she's definitely a big one!

FWIW, I agree with Rabidosa rabida.

… Jay Barnes, 24 January, 2010 - 3:37pm

Good point

I was wondering why she was so big. I was afraid to ask because Barbara's biography says she builds houses for a living...so I figured she knew better than I did, lol! Even at 1.5", the spider is still pretty big...like 23-25mm, based on me holding my ruler up to my computer screen. Hehe. :)

… Mandy Howe, 24 January, 2010 - 7:02pm

Thought I would add a cropped

Thought I would add a cropped image after reading your comment so this gal could be seen at a larger scale. I was definetly very big.

By the way, about 30 years ago I had some friends that had scout troops. They would come by from time to time and see my collection and bombard me with many questions. One of the little girls raised her hand one day to ask me something and said "Doctor Bug, Doctor Bug!" It was kind of cute and it stuck ever since.

… Barbara Haiden, 24 January, 2010 - 2:29pm

Thanks for the crop

That is a cute story about the "Doctor Bug" name. About 20 years ago I was actually one of those scouts, too! We had some awesome camping trips and came across lots of bugs (especially right in the tent or cabin with us!). I still remember all the people that were there to help me learn so I'm sure you made a lasting impact on the kids you taught!

… Mandy Howe, 24 January, 2010 - 2:59pm

Looks like a Rabidosa rabida

She IS really big (& probably pregnant)! That's actually pretty large for this species, but nothing extreme. Using your 2" scale, she looks like 1.25" in body length! Wow! Your ID is correct, but Lycosa species have all been placed into other genera...in this case Rabidosa. So, same spider- different name. More Bug Guide photos are here. :)

Great submission! A beautiful wolfie! It was nice to see the 2" piece of wood for comparison, but for this site it might be nicer to have a more cropped/zoomed in photo (tip of leg to tip of leg) and then just list "approx 32mm" in the size field. People tend to view and react more to images that are "just the bug". I understand why you wanted the wood in the photo...but if I didn't ask you to crop, someone else eventually would. So might as well take care of it now. :)

I read your biography (very neat!)...and when I saw your email address, I immediately thought of the "Dr. Love" song by KISS. Lol! Now Dr. Bug is stuck in my head! "...they call me Dr. Bug..."

… Mandy Howe, 24 January, 2010 - 10:15am