Schizocosa minnesotensis
(Gertsch, 1934)
Schizocosa minnesotensis is a wolf spider in the Lycosidae. It occurs in the United States and Canada, with confirmed records from Alberta and British Columbia. As a member of the Schizocosa, it is a ground-dwelling active hunter. The species has been documented as a for the mantidfly Climaciella brunnea, whose larvae board female spiders and feed on their sac contents.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Schizocosa minnesotensis: /ˌskɪzoʊˈkoʊsə ˌmɪnɪsəˈtɛnsɪs/
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Identification
Members of the Schizocosa can be distinguished from other wolf spider genera by subtle morphological characters, including features of the male and female . Specific identification of S. minnesotensis requires examination of these genital structures. Schizocosa bear longitudinal stripes on the and a dark cardiac mark on the , providing camouflage in grassy .
Distribution
United States and Canada. Confirmed present in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.
Host Associations
- Climaciella brunnea - Mantidfly larvae board female spiders and enter sacs to feed on spider eggs. S. minnesotensis is one of two unidentified Schizocosa recorded as in Illinois (Redborg and Redborg, 2000).
Similar Taxa
- Schizocosa ocreataBoth are medium-sized wolf spiders in the same with overlapping North American ranges; distinguished by genital and male courtship .
- Schizocosa stridulansCongeneric wolf spider with similar preferences; S. stridulans is known for stridulatory which has not been documented in S. minnesotensis.
More Details
Taxonomic note
The was described by Gertsch in 1934. The Schizocosa was historically grouped with other 'striped' wolf spiders but is now recognized as distinct based on morphological and behavioral characters.