Agrobiont
Guides
Heliophanus
Sun Jumping Spiders
Heliophanus is a genus of jumping spiders (Salticidae) comprising approximately 90–170 described species, with significant taxonomic revision in 2024 when many African species were transferred to other genera. The genus has a Palearctic and Afrotropical distribution, with core diversity in Europe extending into Asia and Africa. Several species are agrobionts in Central European cereal systems, where they function as dominant predators. At least one species, Heliophanus dampfi, is a bog specialist with highly restricted distribution.
Tigrosa helluo
Wetland Giant Wolf Spider
Tigrosa helluo is a medium-sized wolf spider (Lycosidae) native to North America, formerly classified as Hogna helluo. Adults average approximately 17 mm in body length, with females larger than males. The species is distinguished by a brown carapace with a prominent yellow stripe extending from the anterior eyes down the cephalothorax, and black spots on the underside of the abdomen. It inhabits diverse environments including woods, marshes, fields, and riparian areas, with a preference for wetter habitats. The spider is nocturnal, solitary, and an active hunter that does not build webs for prey capture.