Turret-spider
Guides
Atypoides riversi
California Turret Spider, turret spider
Atypoides riversi, commonly known as the California turret spider, is a medium-sized mygalomorph spider endemic to northern and central California. It constructs distinctive burrows topped with a turret-like structure made of soil, vegetation, and silk. Females are larger than males, with body lengths ranging from 13 to 18 millimeters. Research indicates this species represents a species complex, with multiple genetically distinct populations separated by geographic barriers.
Geolycosa turricola
turret spider, burrowing wolf spider
Geolycosa turricola is a burrowing wolf spider (family Lycosidae) native to the eastern United States, ranging as far west as Ohio. This species constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils, often with a distinctive turret of silk and debris at the entrance. It exhibits an obligate burrowing lifestyle with a two-year life cycle and has been documented showing high frequencies of ballooning behavior—aerial dispersal via silk threads—despite occupying relatively stable sand dune habitats. Spiderlings display subsocial organization with prolonged mutual tolerance within broods, facilitated primarily by chemical communication.