Sosippus californicus

Simon, 1898

Funnel-web wolf spider

Sosippus californicus is a large wolf spider in the Lycosidae, notable for being one of the few web-building members of an otherwise nomadic hunting family. It constructs sheet-like webs with funnel-shaped retreats, superficially resembling those of true funnel-web weavers (Agelenidae). The ranges from southern California through Arizona and Mexico to Rica, where it is particularly abundant in riparian .

Sosippus.californicus by A.R. Brady, in: Psyche 69:129-164. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sosippus californicus: /soʊˈsɪpəs ˌkælɪˈfɔrnɪkəs/

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Identification

Distinguished from true funnel-web weavers (Agelenidae) by arrangement: Sosippus has two large eyes forward-facing with four small eyes beneath, versus Agelenidae's more compact, equally-sized eyes. Distinguished from other Lycosidae by web-building and association. The Sosippus is the only web-building genus in Lycosidae.

Images

Habitat

Most abundant in riparian situations, living at edges of stream corridors and wetland . Webs constructed on vegetation including cacti, agave, and palmetto, or emerging from rock crevices.

Distribution

Southern California to Arizona, south through Mexico to Rica. Present in Middle America and North America.

Life Cycle

Females carry sacs attached to until spiderlings hatch. Spiderlings ride on mother's back until next , then share her web, sometimes for months. Extended maternal care observed in .

Behavior

Constructs thick, sheet-like webs with funnel-like retreats—unique among Lycosidae. Females tether sacs to and transport them. Spiderlings exhibit post-hatching association with mother, riding on her back and subsequently sharing her web. Older individuals can coexist in confined spaces when food is abundant.

Similar Taxa

Agelenidae (true funnel-web weavers)Construct nearly identical sheet webs with funnel retreats; distinguished by compact arrangement with eyes of relatively equal size
Other LycosidaeShare arrangement but are nomadic hunters that do not build capture webs

More Details

Subsocial behavior

The Sosippus exhibits extended maternal care unusual among spiders. Maternal females of S. floridanus have been observed feeding spiderlings for several months. Spiderlings may remain in maternal web for extended periods.

Parasitism

S. texanus is a recorded for the mantisfly Mantispa sayi, whose larvae consume spider .