Arachnids of North Carolina
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View LYCOSIDAE Members: NC Records

Pirata sylvanus - a pirate wolf spider

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Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: ARANEOMORPHAEFamily: LYCOSIDAE                                                                                 
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: Male Dorsum of abdomen heavily pigmented, with light hastate area and indications of paired light spots. Coxae and endites light amber , unpigmented ; labium and venter lightly pigmented ; sternum light with marginal blotche s of pigment. Anterior eye row narrower than the posterior median row, almost straight ; anterior median eyes twice as large as laterals, closer to laterals than to each other . Clypeus about as high as the diameter of an anterior median eye . Lower margin of the furrow of the chelicerae with three unequal teeth, middle tooth the largest and closer t o the lateral, which is the smallest, than to the median . The median apophysis of the palpus of P. sylvanus somewhat resembles that of P. apacheanus, both in shape and in having a light-colored tip . The palpus of P. sylvanus is distinguished by the presence of a straight-edged shelf-like structure proximad of the bas e of the median apophysis (Fig. 235). Legs 4123, femora faintly banded . Tibiae I with eight ventral and lateral spines, the four proximal spines long, overlapping and ventral in position ; the distal pair is apical i n position. Tibiae II with eight ventral and lateral spines ; the ventral prolateral spines ar e reduced almost to bristles; the distal pair of spines are apical in position . Description of female .—From Cove Creek, Washington Co ., Arkansas, V-10-61, No . L-70. Carapace 2 .60 mm long, 1 .80 mm wide, with a distinct submarginal light band, an d tuning-fork pattern. Dorsum heavily pigmented, with a narrow light hastate mark an d four pairs of spots covered with white scales. Ventral surface yellowish amber except for scattered pigment in the center of the venter and narrow streaks of pigment along th e edge of the sternum. Anterior eye row narrower than the median row, slightly procurved ; anterior median eyes twice as large as laterals, somewhat closer to laterals than to eac h other . Clypeus height equals a diameter of an anterior median eye . Lower margin of the furrow of the chelicerae with three almost equally spaced teeth, the middle tooth th e largest, the other two almost equal in size . The epigynum of P. sylvanus is unlike that of any other Pirata that we have examined (Fig. 236-237). Legs 4123, very faintly pigmented ; the femora have a suggestion of annulations. Tibiae I with five long overlapping ventrolateral spines ; distal apical spines not developed . Tibiae II with four ventral spines and one spine lateral in position, th e proximal retrolateral spines longer than the prolaterals ; distal spines not developed .
Total Length: Male Carapace 1 .93 mm long, 1 .35 mm wide. Female Carapace 2 .60 mm long, 1 .80 mm wide.
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Southeastern United States
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)

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Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Observation Methods: pitfall traps
Abundance/Frequency: Males have been collected from April into September and females from April into October. The only egg sac from October
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
Comments: