Types of Wolf Spiders in Ohio – With Photos

There are a variety of wolf spiders in Ohio that you can find in grasslands, forests, and near rivers. These spiders are an important part of our state’s spider population and are members of the Lycosidae family. While it can be a bit startling to come across one of these spiders due to their size, there’s no need to worry – they’re more scared of you than you are of them! These spiders are actually pretty impressive when it comes to hunting, with excellent eyesight and lightning-fast reflexes that allow them to catch their prey, such as grasshoppers, ants, and crickets.

More often than most people would prefer, some of these wolf spiders are also found inside manmade structures such as barns, garages, and houses. This commonly happens in structures that are located in habitats suitable for wolf spiders such as forests and grasslands.

Tigrosa Helluo is one of the most common species of wolf spider in Ohio and they can be identified by their brown coloring and the underside of the abdomen which has distinct black spots. An additional characteristic is the brown carapace and distinct yellow stripe starting from its anterior eyes and extending down to the cephalothorax (waist). The body length of this wolf spider is 10mm-31mm for females and 11mm-24mm for males. Tigrosa Helluo spiders prefer habitats that include woods, marshes, and fields and these wolf spiders are most often seen in homes during the Autumn months as they search for a warm place to spend the winter. Additionally, these spiders are more common in homes located in rural areas of Ohio where there is an abundance of wood. Tigrosa Helluo spiders do bite humans, however, it is unlikely without being provoked. Their bites contain a small amount of venom which will cause minor pain and a considerable bump which is not medically significant. Like most wolf spiders in Ohio, Tigrosa Helluo engages in sexual cannibalism. After the female and male mate, the larger spider (often the female) will eat the smaller one with no remorse. 

Photo of Field Wolf Spider in Ohio:

Pardosa Wolf Spiders are a larger genus of wolf spiders that can be found in Ohio, although they are commonly called the “Thin-Legged Wolf Spiders.” They can be identified by a dark-colored body with white stripes on the carapace and abdomen. The Thin-Legged Wolf spider does not build web shelters, instead, they prefer to roam their territory in search of insect prey. Pardosa Wolf Spiders prefer habitats near water, woods, and brush piles, although some are habitat generalists which is unusual in spiders in Ohio. Additionally, the Thin-Legged wolf spider in Ohio can be seen in homes and garages during the fall and winter months when they are searching for warmth and insects to eat. After mating, the female will carry the egg sac until the eggs are mature and help the spiderlings exit by tearing the sac open with her jaws. Thin-Legged wolf spiders are generally not aggressive unless provoked, however, a bite from one will be painful and leave visible damage to the skin.

Photo of Thin-Legged Wolf Spider in Ohio:

Pirate wolf spiders are another common species that can be found near water sources such as ponds and marshes. They belong to the genus “Pirata.” This is a smaller species of wolf spider in Ohio, females are sized around 9mm and males are only about 6mm in length. They are identified by a red chestnut abdomen, central mustard-colored cardiac mark, and white stripes on the abdomen and carapace. These spiders will only bite when provoked, and a bite will often cause minor pain and a small bump.

Photo of Pirate Wolf Spider in Ohio:

The Brush-Legged wolf spider, also known as Schizocosa ocreata, can be found in the deciduous forests of Northeast Ohio. In counties such as Medina, Summit, Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Lake, these spiders are often found in houses that are located beside a forest. This common wolf spider in Ohio is often seen in homes and garages during the Autumn months when they begin their search for a warm place to spend the winter. Schizocosa ocreata is a tan-colored spider and can be distinguished by its dark furry legs. The females measure 10-13mm and the males are about 10-11mm. In terms of hunting and activity, they can be found hunting insects such as crickets, ants, and grasshoppers day and night. Additionally, these spiders do bite when agitated which is followed by moderate pain and swelling. 

Photo of Brush-Legged Wolf Spider in Ohio:

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Despite being named the Dark Fishing Spider, these common spiders in Ohio are frequently found far away from water and sometimes manage to enter homes that are located near forests. They are often mistaken for wolf spiders (Lycosidae family) however they belong to the family Pisauridae. Dark Fishing Spiders have a moderately unique ability to run freely over water in the wild while they hunt down prey such as insects and in some cases small fish! Female bodies are large and measure approximately 12-26mm, while males measure 7-13mm. Their lifespan is usually about two years and they have the ability to hibernate. Dark Fishing Spiders are a dark brown color they can be identified by their harry legs with rust-colored stripes. According to spiderid.com, there were 290 confirmed sightings of Dolomedes tenebrosus as of July, 2020, and 90 of them were found in man-made structures. Dark Fishing Spiders will bite humans when provoked, and a bite will often cause moderate pain equivalent to a bee or wasp sting. The primary predators of Dark Fishing Spiders include birds and snakes, while dragonflies can often be seen preying on the younger spiders.

Photo of Dark Fishing Wolf Spider in Ohio:

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The Carolina Wolf Spider, also known as Hogna carolinesis, is the largest wolf spider in Ohio. Females measure 22-35mm and males are about 18-20mm in size. Their body is brown in color with a darker underside and lighter-brown legs with no hair. Caroline wolf spiders prey on insects like crickets, ants, smaller spiders, and in some cases small invertebrates. When foud near homes they can be seen feeding on insects such as cockroaches and other bugs. Similarly to most types of wolf spider in Ohio, Carolina Wolf Spiders do not catch their prey with webs, instead they wait outside their burrow and attack when the prey comes near.

Photo of Carolina Wolf Spider in Ohio:

Habitat Of Wolf Spiders in Ohio

Wolf spiders in Ohio have a diverse range of habitats, and they can be found wherever there are insects to feed on. Although they can thrive in many environments, they tend to be most abundant in open habitats such as grasslands and can frequently be spotted in farm fields and meadows. While most species prefer to stay on the ground, some can be seen climbing trees and other plants when they are on the hunt for food. Interestingly, some species of wolf spiders are also known to scour the shores of ponds and marshes for prey, and they may even take a dive into the water to catch their meal! In addition to their natural habitats, wolf spiders are known to enter human-made structures such as homes, barns, sheds, and garages, where they may hunt for insects and other small prey.

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Hunting Behavior Of Ohio Wolf Spiders

In Ohio, wolf spiders can be active both during the day and at night, with some species preferring one or the other. While some wander around in search of food, others prefer to patrol a specific area and return to a resting place. Some species even construct tunnels, sometimes using those made by other animals, and some build protective walls or turrets around their tunnels to wait for prey or predators to pass by. As solitary creatures, wolf spiders hunt alone and only come together during mating season.

Wolf spiders in Ohio are often found in houses that already have a high population of insects. Preventing wolf spider infestations can be done easily by performing maintenance pest control measures such as hiring The Pest Detective for a yearly perimeter spray. Preventive pest control is ideal for many homeowners because the price of a yearly perimeter spray is a fraction of the cost to eliminate an infestation. You can contact The Pest Detective by giving us a call or visiting our spider exterminator service page.