Rustic Wolf Spider - Trochosa ruricola

The females are 15 mm (sometimes even bigger) and the males are 10 mm. Both sexes are dark brown with a pale band running the length of the carapace and continuing to the first half of the abdomen. The two short lines on the carapace are diagnostic of Trochosa species.

The light cardiac mark may help to distinguish it from the similar T. terricola, but confirmation of this species requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically examination of the genitalia.

Confirmation of this species: "Requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically examination of the genitalia." Bee, L., Oxford, G., & Smith, H. (2020). Britain's Spiders: A Field Guide. Second Edition. Princeton University Press.

Grassland, lawns and woodland scrub.

Mainly from April to June

The spider hunts on the ground and is often caught in pitfall traps.

Fairly frequent and widespread in Britain

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

4019 British records to Jan 2014