Trochosa

Distinguished from similar wolf spider genera by the combination of: broad pale central band on carapace expanded anteriorly with two darker patches; anterior eye row slightly wider than posterior median eye row; and the characteristic spine on the fourth tibia (proximal spine dorsally thinner or more drawn out than distal one, sometimes reduced to a bristle). Male genitalia closely resemble those of Hogna, making genitalic characters of limited use for generic diagnosis.

Free-running ground dwellers found in varied terrestrial habitats. In Europe, associated with grass heaths and moist tussocks of Festuca species. Population density correlates with habitat structure and microhabitat characteristics.

Worldwide distribution. Well-documented in Europe and North America; taxonomically unrevised in Africa. Specific records include: Colombia (Valle del Cauca), Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Brazil (Campinas region, Atlantic forest), and Norfolk, UK.

Activity patterns vary by life stage and species. In Trochosa terricola, adults are nocturnal while juveniles are diurnal. Adult males show an annual diplochrone activity pattern.

• Paracyphononyx scapulatus - koinobiont ectoparasitoidPompilidae wasp; larva develops on spider's abdomen
• Priocnemis minorata - parasitoid (host for larval development)Pompilidae spider wasp; Trochosa terricola and other species documented as hosts
• Mermithidae (Nematoda) - parasitoid wormEndoparasitic nematodes recorded from Trochosa spp.

In Trochosa terricola, the life cycle extends over 2 or 3 years with eight male and nine female instars. Females produce egg sacs; mean number of juveniles emerging from first sac is 77.3, from second sac is 38.0. The remainder of the year is spent in immature stages until maturity.

Cursorial hunter spiders that do not build webs for prey capture. Free-running ground dwellers. Nocturnal activity in adults (in T. terricola), with juveniles showing diurnal activity. Some species are agile climbers.

Generalist predators in terrestrial ecosystems. Serve as hosts for parasitoid wasps (Pompilidae) and parasitoid nematodes (Mermithidae). Population dynamics suggest 'spreading of risk' strategy in variable environments.

• HognaMale genitalia closely resemble those of Trochosa, making them difficult to distinguish by this character alone; Trochosa distinguished by carapace pattern and tibial spine characteristics
• Other Lycosidae generaTrochosa distinguished by combination of carapace pale band pattern, eye row proportions, and fourth tibia spine morphology

• spider
• wolf spider
• cursorial hunter
• ground-dwelling
• nocturnal
• ectoparasitoid host

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Bug Eric: Priocnemis minorata
• Bug Eric: One Night, One House, Seventeen Spider Species
• Redescription of Trochosa urbana (Araneae: Lycosidae) with notes on its distribution
• Paracyphononyx scapulatus (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae), a koinobiont ectoparasitoid of Trochosa sp. (Araneae, Lycosidae)
• Figure 2 from: Souza HS, Messas YF, Masago F, dos Santos ED, Vasconcellos-Neto J (2015) Paracyphononyx scapulatus (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae), a koinobiont ectoparasitoid of Trochosa sp. (Araneae, Lycosidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 46: 165-172. https://doi.org/10.3897/JHR.46.5833
• New record of a parasitoid worm (Mermithidae, Nematoda) in a spider of the genus Trochosa (Lycosidae)
• Life cycle and population dynamics of Trochosa terricola Thorell (Araneae: Lycosidae) in a Norfolk grass heath
• Figure 1 from: Souza HS, Messas YF, Masago F, dos Santos ED, Vasconcellos-Neto J (2015) Paracyphononyx scapulatus (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae), a koinobiont ectoparasitoid of Trochosa sp. (Araneae, Lycosidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 46: 165-172. https://doi.org/10.3897/JHR.46.5833