Egg-sac-parasitism
Guides
Pardosa moesta
Shiny Wolf Spider
Pardosa moesta is a small to medium-sized wolf spider (family Lycosidae) belonging to the 'moesta species group' in the Nearctic region. It is one of the most abundant wolf spiders in North American grasslands, characterized by its 'thin-legged' morphology with long spines nearly perpendicular to the leg axis. The species has an annual life cycle with overwintering as subadults, and exhibits maternal care through egg sac transport. It serves as host for parasitoid wasps including Baeus sp. (Scelionidae) and Gelis sp. (Ichneumonidae), with documented egg sac parasitism rates around 14.6%.