There are many spider species, including wolf spiders and grass spiders. The other spiders include the brown recluse spider, the hobo spider, etc. Although the hobo spider is an aggressive house spider, it is not harmful to humans. The grass spiders belong to the Agelenidae family. The full body size of grass spiders (excluding legs) ranges from 8mm to 20mm. These small insects possess thin black lines all over their bodies. The grass spider species are known for their funnel weaving capabilities.
A grass spider builds funnel webs found in cervices of buildings, along the bottom of fences, and low-growing shrubs. These funnel webs are cave-like-shaped. Like other spider webs, this funnel web is not sticky. The female grass spiders are larger than male grass spiders. The female grass spiders deposit white sacs that overwinter during the late fall or summer. In addition to it, the female grass spider lays egg sacs. These eggs hatch into spiderlings in the spring. It does not carry egg sacks over its back. The egg sac is sometimes present at the web edge.
The mating ritual males of grass spider brings about eventual demise for both parties. The grass spider fangs cannot penetrate human skin due to their small size, but the grass spider bite can cause bacterial infections and necrotic skin lesions. The grass spider catches its prey, dragging it to the web funnel. They trap bugs in their webs much easier than other species and bite if they feel threatened.
On the other hand, the wolf spiders also belong to the family Agelenidae. The wolf spider possesses a brown to gray-colored hairy body, also having thick black lines. The wolf spider bites cause swelling, redness, and pain. It is believed that almost all spiders weave webs, but the wolf spider does not weave webs. During the life cycle, the female wolf spider carries babies or an egg sack over its back. The wolf spider’s abdomen does not possess the light chevrons. The male wolf spiders are slightly smaller than the female wolf spiders.
Although both the wolf spider and grass spider look similar, there are many differences. These two spiders rely on camouflage, avoiding predators and sneaking up on their prey. Furthermore, both wolf and grass spider contains unique organ called spinnerets, allowing these two spiders to spin silk, creating webs. The other spiders possess similar stripes, but the wolf spiders and grass spiders look similar if they are not compared well. The main difference is how these two species catch their prey. The wolf spider does not spin webs and also does not create webs. Unlike wolf spiders, the grass spider carries its egg sac with its pedipalps and chelicerae. Peppermint oil is used for the pest control of these species. Despite all this, are many other spider facts described in this blog post.
Grass spider
Wolf spider
The grass spiders possess narrow bodies and long legs. These species are confused with other spiders named the brown recluse spider. Depending on the species, the grass spider can possess six or eight eyes, arrayed in three rows. Their body color varies from black to white, while the abdomen is darker-colored.
The wolf spiders possess venom glands and strong fangs, helping them catch their prey. Their body color varies from camouflage to black, grey, and brown. In addition to it, sometimes the wolf spiders are all one color. These species usually possess some blotches or stripes over their bodies of various colors.
The grass spiders are present in various countries, including all over North America, parts of Canada, the USA, etc. It does not require much time to look for these spiders. Furthermore, the grass spider cannot create strong webs above the ground; therefore, their habitat includes grass and low-lying bushes.
The wolf spiders are present throughout the world, including all parts of Australia. They tend to live about anywhere. These small creatures are native to gardens, lawns, burrows, leaf litters, cold mountaintops, volcanic lava tubes, rainforests, sub-urban lawns, and grasslands.
The female grass spiders possess a body length of about 10 to 20 millimeters, while males are approximately 9 to 18 millimeters in length. There is a yellow-brown to brown-colored carapace with a darker longitudinal bands’ pair, extending back from the lateral eyes, and a very thin lines’ pair located on each carapace’s side. However, their weight is not specified due to data deficiency.
The male wolf spiders are smaller than the female wolf spiders. However, the size of a wolf spider varies. Their body lengths range from about 0.6 centimeter to 3 centimeter or a quarter of an inch to over an inch, excluding legs. There are eight legs slightly longer than body length. In addition, the wolf spider possesses an average weight of not more than an ounce or 0.028 kilograms.
Like other creatures on the earth’s surface, the grass spiders also require a proper diet to survive. They eat various prey, including small insects present in lawns and grassy years. For example, aphids, moths, grasshoppers, and other insects.
Like grass spiders and other animals, the wolf spiders also require proper food to survive. The wolf spider eats insects and various invertebrates. The females eat prey such as small vertebrates, including reptiles and amphibians.
Like all other spiders, the grass spiders communicate with each other using various vibrations called seismic communication. The grass spider communicates during mating or courting procedures, when warning rivals or predators, or when they try to catch prey by mimicking the vibrations of other insects they have trapped in the webs.
Research has shown that organisms may use vibrations or different sounds to communicate with each other. The same is the case with wolf spiders. The wolf spider uses vibrations to communicate with each other. But these vibrations do not come with audible sounds. On the other hand, the purring wolf spiders tend to produce both vibrations and sounds.
Although grass spiders are not harmful, but are venomous, like other spiders. Their venom is not a risk to humans in most cases. The grass spider uses its venom to subdue prey rather than biting unsuspecting gardeners. Their small fangs cannot penetrate human skin.
The wolf spiders are not a major threat to people, but their venom can cause irritation, burning, and allergic reactions. The bite of these large-sized wolf spider insects may be painful. In addition to it, the mild pain, itchiness or swelling around their bites might not last long.
The grass spiders are not considered medically or economically important spiders. However, they are beneficial spiders as they survive by eating various other insects. There will be biting only during mishandling otherwise, they are not harmful. It is recommended to visit physicians for any concerns relating to the grass spider.
Like all creatures, including plants and animals on earth’s surface, the wolf spiders also have a purpose. For example, these insects play a vital role in the ecosystem as it serves as both predator and prey. The natural history survey reports the wolf spider hunts its habitat for smaller spiders and other insects.
The grass spiders live for a specific time, after which they die. For instance, the grass spider possesses an average lifespan of about one to two years. The male grass spider lives for a much shorter time than females.
Like grass spiders and other creatures, the wolf spiders also have a specific lifespan, after which they die. For example, the wolf spider lives for approximately one year and less.
There are many predators of grass spiders, including Tarantula hawks, spider wasps, centipedes, etc.
The wolf spiders are preyed on by various animals such as scorpions, birds, monkeys, other spiders, etc.
Removing webs, mowing lawns frequently, eliminating brush piles, washing dishes immediately after using, and cleaning up food and beverages are some ways to get rid of grass spiders.
Blocking entry points, creating a barrier, taking away hiding places, discouraging the wolf spider insects, and making a clean sweep of houses are some of the ways to get rid of these wolf spider species.
FAQ’s
Sometimes people get confused and raise questions about wolf spider vs grass spider to clear their minds. Therefore, the answers to some of those questions are as given below;
Are grass spiders more poisonous than wolf spiders?
The grass spider is not poisonous but is venomous, like all other insect spiders. In comparison to it, these grass spiders contain venom, as all spiders do, which helps them greatly in subduing their prey.
Conclusion
Various animals and plants are present worldwide, all possessing unique identification characters discriminating against them. The same is the case with wolf spiders and grass spiders. Although both wolf spiders and grass spiders look similar, they differ in various ways. People still confuse them. There is no need to worry as this blog post provides exciting facts and information about the wolf and grass spider creatures. It will help greatly if you read this article with great care and pay full attention.