Wolf Spider - Gladicosa

Moved

Moved from Hogna.

… Laura P., 9 October, 2016 - 3:24pm

What do you think ...

of Gladicosa?

… Laura P., 5 August, 2013 - 5:16pm

Compare

to this image.
I believe yours is a dark variation of carolinensis.
Your other image also shows orange hairs on the chelicerae, a trait of carolinensis, along with the rows of white spots on the dorsum.
The two black marks at the anterior dorsal area also seem to be a trait of carolinensis (compare to the other images under H. carolinensis).
Not to mention you mentioned you found a larger one.

I have images of an adult male Carolina wolf spider from Okeechobee that is the same color as this female, except his chelicerae had a thick orange hair cover, which is normal for adult males. He was unusual being so dark. Unfortunately, those and many other images are on my hard drive with the fried power pack.

… Jeff Hollenbeck, 5 March, 2006 - 1:45pm

Hogna

What did you think of the Hogna helluo? Here is another comparison image.

… Lynette Elliott, 5 March, 2006 - 6:18pm

don't like it! ;) The stripe on the carapace seems consistently narrow for helluo, but that might be local variation. If it ain't broke don't fix it comes to mind. These images are probably best left alone.

I want to say the orange hairs on the chelicerae are a trait unique to Carolina wolf spiders, but not 100% on that.

Wolf spiders might be a group that will prove to be IDable only to genus through photos.
Even descriptions in books (with the exception of reproductive organs) are not always enough, unfortunately. Maybe a Lycosid expert will mix it up on the Guide one day!

… Jeff Hollenbeck, 6 March, 2006 - 4:33pm

Chances are...

it's probably a hogna helluo. I'm no expert on wolf spiders, but I do find them very interesting. It appears to be identical to the one on floridanature.org. This would be a new species to bugguide!

… Don Cadle, 31 December, 2005 - 11:03am

Thanks

I saw another even bigger one last night on the neighbor's porch. I hope you're right...I don't think I have any Hogna photos yet.

… Lynette Elliott, 31 December, 2005 - 11:50am