Spiders of North Carolina

Arachnids of North Carolina

Order:
Scientific Name: Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

Pirata alachuus - a pirate wolf spider LYCOSIDAE Members:			NC Records	BugGuide Account	Public View

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Distribution Records
PDF

Vetting Levels

Adult phenology:
High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
Piedmont (Pd)
Coastal Plain (CP)

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synonym

taxonomic_comments

species_comment

This species was named for the county in which the type specimens were found.

id_comments

A small spider, with a wide marginal light band on the carapace, otherwise resembling P. sedentarius in pattern, and indistinct annulae on legs. Anterior eye row slightly procurved, slightly narrower than posterior median eye row . Epigynum with posteriorly rounded lobes about one-half diameter apart . Median apophysis of palp unique, truncated anteriorly so that it has somewhat the shape of a tomahawk or hatchet. The distal (anterior) end of the median apophysis is sometimes transparent and difficul t to see.

total_length

Carapace usually less than 2 .0 mm long in males and less than 2 .4 mm in females

structural_features

silk_web

fld_guide_descriptions

online_photos

prey

predators

behavior

distribution_reference

technical_reference

adult_id

1 identifiable by photo 2 identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info 3 identifiable from specimen only

abundance

April - July for adults. Egg sacs May through September, Egg sacs measure from 2 .0 to 2.8 mm in diameter, and are slightly flattened dorsoventrally when first made, becoming round as the young hatch.

distribution_comments

checklist_mt_high
>=4,000 ft.

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom	Frequency Regular – almost always observed on given visit; >=90% chance of observation Frequent – usually observed on a given visit; >=50%<90% chance of observation Infrequent – observed less than 50% of visits; >=25%<50% chance of observation Occasional – observed on only on a small minority of visits; >=10%<25% chance of observation Seldom – not usually seen on visits; <10% chance of observation These terms refer to visits to appropriate habitats made at appropriate times of the year, making use of common sampling/observation methods. Under those conditions, Frequency refers to the chance of observing at least one individual on a given visit made anywhere within a particular region, or over multiple visits to a single site.

checklist_mt_low
<4,000 ft.

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

checklist_pd
Piedmont

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

checklist_cp
Coastal Plain

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

habitat

P. alachuus is not as riparious as most Pirata. It is not confined to the margins of ponds and streams and throughout its range may be found in leaf litter of mesic woods, in cultivated fields or sometimes in exposed areas.

observation_methods

Pitfall traps, litter sifting.

state_protection

NHP_ranks

NHP_status

status_comments

Photo Gallery for Pirata alachuus a pirate wolf spider
	Recorded by: Carol Tingley Durham Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Carol Tingley Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Donald Zepp Johnston Co. Comment: Immature taken in Berlese sample of mostly bamboo litter along east fence.	Recorded by: Carol Tingley Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Carol Tingley Durham Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Carol Tingley Durham Co. Comment:

Photo Gallery for Pirata alachuus a pirate wolf spider