click for largeThis is Hogna helluo. It is the second largest species of wolf spider in the United States. I've been looking for one of these for the longest time, and today while I was out fossil hunting, I found one. This gal was about the size of a half dollar, about an inch and a half in diameter, including legs. Definitely the largest wolf spider I have ever seen.
The carapace of Hogna helluo is characterized by a clearly defined medial stripe from a point between the middle pair of eyes nearly to the point at which the carapace joins the abdomen. The abdomen has a broader light stripe with a darker narrow and tapering form like the head of a lance or a stone arrow point. The underside of the cephalothorax is solid black, but the underside of the abdomen may be spotted with lighter colored patches.
This species does not dig tunnels but may create shelters under rocks and similar natural features. H. helluo frequently enters houses with the arrival of lower temperatures in autumn. They are inside only in search of warmer temperatures and make every possible effort to stay away from people.
Raynox DCR-150
mounted on my Panasonic FZ8.
Under the bridges of the rum river in Anoka MN there are some ridiculous sized wolf spiders.
ReplyDeleteI just had one in my house tonight i am not usually scared of spiders but this thing was huge with legs it was about 3 to 3 1/2 in i was actually scared
ReplyDeleteWe call them sand spiders since they travel and tunnel quickly in the sand up at Ottertail Lake in northwestern Mn. They also blend into the sand. They get quite large the size of silver dollar, but most are quarter size. What is this spider? I have looked with no success.
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