Species Hogna carolinensis - Carolina Wolf Spider

Female: 22 to 35 mm

Male: 18 to 20 mm

The carapace is dark brown with gray hairs (lighter in males) and usually without distinct markings. The abdomen is brown with a somewhat darker median stripe. (1)

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Orange paturons (chelicera) and black around the the "knees" ventrally are characteristics of the species.(Jeff Hollenbeck)

~ Specimens of H. carolinensis are distinguished by large body, carapace with median and submarginal bands weakly developed; sternum, leg coxae, and abdominal venter black. Tips of femora III & IV and bases of tips of tibiae III & IV black. (2) (This reference says the chelicerae are black.)

Throughout the United States.

Open areas, fields, grasslands, pastures, meadows,and deserts. They can be found under rocks during the day. (3)

Spiderlings:

Considered to be the largest wolf spider in North America.

They are a burrowing species, but they wander away from the burrow at night and rarely during the day to hunt. Adult males wander in search of females. (3)

~ cumuseum.colorado.edu - Images and information.

Ecology