Schizocosa retrorsa

(Banks, 1911)

Schizocosa retrorsa is a wolf spider in the Lycosidae, found in the United States and Mexico. As a member of the Schizocosa, it shares characteristics with other wolf spiders including ground-dwelling habits and active hunting . The species has been recorded as a for the mantidfly Climaciella brunnea, whose larvae parasitize spider sacs.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Schizocosa retrorsa: /ˌskɪzoʊˈkoʊsə rɪˈtɔrsə/

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Identification

Closely resembles Schizocosa aulonia from the beaches and sand dunes of northeastern Illinois, as noted in taxonomic descriptions. Specific diagnostic features distinguishing S. retrorsa from similar Schizocosa are not detailed in available sources.

Distribution

United States and Mexico. Distribution records include Alberta, Canada, though the primary range spans the continental United States and Mexico.

Host Associations

Climaciella brunnea - Mantidfly larvae board spiders and enter sacs to feed on spider eggs; S. retrorsa is one of three recorded wolf spider for this mantidfly

Similar Taxa

Schizocosa auloniaClosely resembles S. retrorsa in appearance; both occur in the Great Lakes region and require careful examination to distinguish
Schizocosa avidaSimilar in the same , though S. avida is noted to resemble S. heasmani rather than S. retrorsa directly