Arachnids of North Carolina
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Scientific Name: Common Name: Family (Alpha):
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View LYCOSIDAE Members: NC Records

Pirata piraticus (Clerck, 1757) - Pirate Otter Spider

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: ARANEOMORPHAEFamily: LYCOSIDAE                                                                                 
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: Varying amounts of white on abdomen and carapace. Legs without banding, and have a greenish cast.
Total Length: Females 5.8-7.5mm, males 5.5-6.2mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Eurasia; NA from Alaska to Newfoundland, South to CA and SC.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Edges of lakes, ponds marshes, streams, etc. Nash County, NC specimen collected in a well irrigated strawberry field—damp, but not muddy.
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: none
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Pirata piraticus - Pirate Otter Spider

Photos: 4

Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-05-08
Nash Co.
Comment: In weeds at base of plastic mulch in well irrigated strawberry field.		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-05-08
Nash Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-05-08
Nash Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-03-02
Washington Co.
Comment: