Sosippus floridanus

Simon, 1898

funnel-web wolf spider

Sosippus floridanus is a of funnel-web wolf spider in the Lycosidae. Unlike most wolf spiders, which are nomadic hunters, this species constructs sheet-like webs with funnel-shaped retreats. It exhibits subsocial , including extended maternal care where spiderlings remain in the maternal web for several months after hatching. The species is found in the southeastern United States, particularly in Florida.

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

Funnel Web Wolf Spider - Sosippus, possibly floridanus?, Lake June-in-Winter Scrub State Park, Lake Placid, Florida - 15462284339 by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Funnel Web Wolf Spider - Sosippus, possibly floridanus?, Lake June-in-Winter Scrub State Park, Lake Placid, Florida by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sosippus floridanus: /sɔˈsɪpəs ˌflɔrɪˈdænəs/

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

Identification

Distinguished from true funnel-web weavers ( Agelenidae) by arrangement: Sosippus has two large eyes forward-facing with a row of four smaller eyes beneath, while agelenids have more compact eyes of relatively equal size. Distinguished from other wolf spiders by its web-building and funnel-web construction.

Images

Habitat

Constructs funnel-web retreats in vegetation such as cacti, agave, and palmetto, or in rock crevices. Found in forest hammocks and similar in Florida.

Distribution

Southeastern United States; primarily recorded from Florida. GBIF records confirm presence in USA and North America.

Life Cycle

Females tether sacs to their until spiderlings hatch. Spiderlings ride on the mother's back until their next , then remain in the maternal web for several months. Maternal females have been observed feeding spiderlings for extended periods.

Behavior

Exhibits subsocial rare among wolf spiders, including extended maternal care and cooperative web maintenance. Spiderlings show delayed , remaining in the maternal web rather than leaving immediately after hatching. Constructs and maintains sheet-like webs with funnel retreats.

Similar Taxa

Agelenidae (funnel-web weavers)Construct similar sheet-like webs with funnel retreats; distinguished by arrangement (agelenids have compact, equal-sized eyes)
Other Lycosidae (wolf spiders)Share characteristics but most are nomadic hunters that do not build webs; Sosippus is distinguished by its web-building
Sosippus californicusCongeneric with similar web-building ; found in southwestern USA (southern California to Arizona) rather than Florida

More Details

Subsocial behavior

Subsocial in Sosippus floridanus was documented by Brach (1976), representing one of the few known cases of extended maternal care in Lycosidae. This includes feeding of spiderlings by maternal females for several months.

Parasitism

Related Sosippus texanus has been recorded as for the mantisfly Mantispa sayi, whose larvae consume spider .