Pardosa

Pardosa is a genus of spiders in the family Lycosidae, commonly referred to as wolf spiders. It is one of the largest genera in its family, comprising well over 500 described species. Members are distributed across most continents, with greatest diversity in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, though several species occur in warmer climates as well.

Physically, Pardosa spiders are medium to large, robust hunters. They typically range from about 5 to 18 millimeters in body length, with leg spans that allow rapid sprinting. They often display a dark, striped pattern on the carapace and a variable pattern on the abdomen. Like other lycosids, Pardosa species have eight eyes arranged in three rows, giving them good vision for active hunting.

Ecology and behavior: Pardosa species are ground-dwelling hunters that do not rely on webs to capture prey. They pursue and ambush small insects and other invertebrates in open habitats such as grasslands, wetlands, and forest edges, and may hide under leaf litter or rocks. Reproduction involves a courtship by the male, followed by transfer of sperm to the female. The female carries the fertilized eggs in a silk sac attached to her spinnerets. After the eggs hatch, the spiderlings often ride on the mother's abdomen for several days or weeks before dispersing.

Relation to humans: Pardosa spiders are beneficial predators in gardens and natural ecosystems. Bites to humans are rare and generally mild, and these spiders are not considered aggressive. They can sometimes enter homes in autumn.