Wolf spider

Fact Box Species: Venatrix furcillata (VF) formerly Lycosa furcillata (RM) (or a related species: see notes below) Family: Lycosidae Body length: female: 13 mm male: 9 mm Habitat: In a burrow in the ground, the entrance to which is usually open and unadorned Toxicity: Uncertain; may cause mild illness but bitings that lead to serious problems appear to be uncommon

The male

This relatively common lycosid species has surface markings that are not easy to distinguish from other members of the same family. However, the pair of large, forward-looking eyes leave no doubt that it belongs in the lycosid family.

Wolf spiders are notable vagrants and can sometimes be found outside the burrow foraging for insects.

Note: The Lycosidae of Australia are very difficult to identify without the aid of a stereo microscope and extensive taxonomic details. Surface markings can be quite variable for a given species, from specimen to specimen, from male to female, and from juvenile to adult. Over the last decade or so a major revision of the Australian wolf spider fauna has been undertaken by Dr. Volker Framenau and his colleagues. This revision is not yet complete so some of the lycosid identifications shown on this website are likely to be incorrect either now or in the near future. At the end of 2010 the most reliable sources of information/photos about the Australian lycosids can be found at the following two websites:

http://www.lycosidae.info/identification/australia/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/australianspiders/collections/72157622669463297/

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: A number of other lycosid species.