Wolf Spider (Hogna frondicola)

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Hogna are a genus of Wolf Spiders with more than 200 described species. They are found on all continents except Antarctica. Two species of Hogna, Hogna carolinensis and Hogna helluo, are among the largest spiders in the US. Too bad, but this wasn't one of them.

I found this guy on my garage. It was a little larger than the normal Pardosa sp. I run into, around an inch in diameter.

You can tell this is a Hogna species because of the eye pattern. Wolf spiders are most readily identified by their eye patterns. If you look really closely in a bigger size you can see a small horizontal row of four eyes, then a set of two larger eyes above that row, then another set of two on top of the carapace. Thats the hallmark of a Hogna sp. spider.

Raynox DCR-150 and Raynox DCR-250 stacked and mounted on my Panasonic Lumix FZ8.

Ground Crab Spider (Xysticus sp.)

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While similar to the brightly colored flower crab spiders, Ground Crab Spiders tend to have shorter, sturdier legs and more patterned abdomens. This one happened to have a pronounced dent on the frontal abdomen, a characteristic I have found on many Xysticus spiders. They move slowly (hah, unless you are trying to photograph them), and tend to hunt by stationing themselves in a high-traffic area and grabbing whatever insect or spider passes close enough.

They do not build webs, and instead rely completely on ambush. I found this guy hiding in the siding cracks on my garage, waiting for something to pass by.

Raynox DCR-150 and Raynox DCR-250 stacked and mounted on my Panasonic Lumix FZ8.

Dwarf Spider (Grammonota Sp.)

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True to its name, this Dwarf Spider was actually quite tiny, only 3 or 4 mm long. I couldn't find much information about the Grammonota genus, except that they happen to like to eat planthoppers, so that's about it. If you know more, I'd sure like to hear about it.

Raynox DCR-150 and Raynox DCR-250, stacked and mounted on my Panasonic Lumix FZ8.

Barn Funnel Weaver (Tegenaria domestica)

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Generally I have to go out looking for the spiders I photograph, but this one was an exception. As I was doing some laundry, this one ran right over my foot. It was pretty large, about the size of a quarter, and very fast.

These spiders are often found in darker areas, such as flower beds, wood piles, and areas where they can weave a funnel-web. When it is found in homes, it often is found in the basement, in the darker recesses such as closets and corners. It is a nocturnal spider, so generally it is discovered when the lights are turned on and the spider darts for cover. These spiders are not seasonal, but rather, can be found year round, if in a survivable environment.

This species was imported from Europe into the shipping ports when large numbers of settlers immigrated from Europe (starting around the 1600s), and it has steadily spread throughout the United States and Canada.

This spider is not dangerous to people, but is often confused with the Hobo Spider of the same genus, Tegenaria agrestis, which may or may not be dangerous to humans. Unless you live in the northwest US, it's probably not a Hobo Spider. Look here for the Hobo Spider's natural range. If you are unsure of the exact species, just be mindful of this confusion, and use caution when dealing with the spider.

Raynox DCR-250 mounted on my Panasonic Lumix FZ8.

Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenicus)

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I find a bunch of these guys around, by far the most common jumpers I encounter. I can find two or three with just a two minute walk around my deck door. I generally find them on my house and garage siding. It's white, and it really seems to attract them. The faux grain in the siding is actually a very close fit for their coloring, especially the young ones, so I guess that makes sense.

Very personable little buggers too, they'll crawl all over you, and look up every few seconds. I'm certain they recognize my eyes. This appears to be a female, going by its size and the white palps. Apparently the males are smaller and their palps are larger and darker.

The Zebra Jumping Spider is a common household jumping spider. Like other jumping spiders, it does not build a web. It uses its four pairs of large eyes to locate prey and its jumping ability to pounce and capture it. Zebra spiders are often noted for their 'curiosity' when observed by humans; many seem aware of their audience and seem to respond to observation by raising their heads and studying the observer.

Raynox DCR-150 and Raynox DCR-250, stacked and mounted on my Panasonic Lumix FZ8.