Trochosa terricola is known as the ground wolf spider,[3] is a wolf spider which is common and widespread in western and central Europe.[1] It has been recorded as prey for the pompilid wasp.
| Trochosa terricola | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Lycosidae |
| Genus: | Trochosa |
| Species: | T. terricola
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| Binomial name | |
| Trochosa terricola | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description edit
Male Trochosa terricola are 7–9 mm in length while females are 7–14 mm.[4] Similar in appearance to other Trochosa species, the female T. terricola has a reddish abdomen while the male has darkened front legs. The two short lines which are visible on carapace are a diagnostic feature of Trochosa wolf spiders. The light cardiac mark separates it from Trochosa ruricola which has a dark cardiac mark.[5]
Habitat edit
Trochosa terricola is found in woodland, grassland, heathland and industrial sites and is often encountered under stones and logs, but overall it shows a preference for drier, heath-like conditions, although has been found in pitfall traps in areas of bog and marsh. Unlike the related T. ruricola it can be common in upland areas.[1]
Biology edit
Adults, both males and females, have been recorded from March to November, with a peak from spring to mid-summer,[1] although in warmer areas in can be active throughout the year.[3] This spider generally appears more sluggish than the Pardosa wolf spiders with which it is sympatric.[3] T. terricola is normally most active at night.[4] It has been recorded as a prey item of the pompilid wasps Priocnemis perturbator and Anoplius viaticus[6]
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Distribution edit
Holarctic,[2] in Europe it is found throughout the continent and Great Britain and Ireland but is absent from Iceland.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Summary for Trochosa terricola (Araneae)". British Arachnological Society. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Taxon details Trochosa terricola Thorell, 1856". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- ^ a b c "Trochosa terricola". Stefan Sollfors, Eurospiders.com. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
- ^ a b c "Trochosa terricola Thorell, 1856". Nentwig W, Blick T, Gloor D, Hänggi A, Kropf C: Spiders of Europe. www.araneae.unibe.ch. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
- ^ "Trochosa terricola". NatureSpot. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
- ^ Edwards, R. & Telfer, M.G., eds. 2002. Provisional atlas of the aculeate Hymenoptera of Britain and Ireland. Part 4. Huntingdon: Biological Records Centre.