Someone I know found this adult male Hogna carolinensis in her garage. I am assuming that, due to the season as well as his mature age, he was on his search for a female. Likewise, I've noticed that many of this species' males generally mature out in mid-May here in Northeastern Kansas, just in time to catch the cooler late spring times. In doing so, the males decrease the risk of desiccation under the hot Kansan sun. I also believe that cooler temperatures encourage the females to come closer to the edge of their burrows, allowing for easier access by the males. In generality, I feel that the males that mature earlier also tend to be larger; however, this is just personal speculation. Because of the fact that it is the first report of Hogna carolinensis in June in Kansas, I've decided to add this to the database. - "Jimmy" Chao Wu

Photographs by Natalie O'Neal and used with permission.