Species Insects & ArthropodsRabid Wolf Spider

Rabid Wolf Spider

Rabidosa rabida

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida)

The Rabid Wolf Spider is a large, fast-running wolf spider with two prominent dark longitudinal stripes on its tan-brown cephalothorax, giving it a striped appearance. It is an active nocturnal hunter that moves erratically across the ground — behavior that inspired its 'rabid' name, not its bite. It is harmless to humans despite its alarming speed.

Habitat
Open fields, roadsides, forest edges, and suburban yards
Diet
Adults: ground-dwelling insects and other arthropods
How common
Common

Best time to see a Rabid Wolf Spider

The best time to see a Rabid Wolf Spider is May–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 22,419 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Not certain it is a Rabid Wolf Spider? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Rabid Wolf Spider sightings near you

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