Pardosa modica

(Blackwall, 1846)

Little Banded Wolf Spider

Pardosa modica is a of wolf in the Lycosidae, commonly known as the Little Banded Wolf Spider. It is one of approximately 65 Pardosa species recognized in the United States and 75 species north of Mexico. As a member of the 'thin-legged wolf spiders,' it is characterized by distinctive leg and is typically small to in size. The species is distributed across the United States and Canada, including records from Alberta and Manitoba.

Pardosa modica by (c) Dan MacNeal, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dan MacNeal. Used under a CC-BY license.

Little Banded Wolf Spider (Pardosa modica) - Guelph, Ontario 2017-04-09 by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Little Banded Wolf Spider (Pardosa modica) - Guelph, Ontario 2016-04-23 (02) by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pardosa modica: //pɑrˈdoʊsə ˈmɒdɪkə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

As a Pardosa , P. modica can be identified by long on the legs that are almost perpendicular to the leg axis, in contrast to other wolf where spines are shorter and more parallel to the leg surface. The hind pair of legs is notably long, with spines often most visible on this pair. The is higher than in most other wolf spiders, with sides of the nearly vertical. Mature males may exhibit different color patterns from females. Definitive species identification requires microscopic examination of : females possess a paired , while males have highly modified resembling small boxing gloves.

Images

Distribution

Found in the United States and Canada. Specific Canadian provincial records include Alberta and Manitoba.

Similar Taxa

Pardosa algensMember of the same 'modica group' of Holarctic Pardosa ; both occur in and subarctic North America
Other Pardosa speciesShare the diagnostic long perpendicular leg and elevated ; require examination for definitive separation