Species guide
Pardosa agrestis
HarmlessThe field wolf spider is a small, ground-dwelling hunting spider commonly found in grasslands, agricultural fields, and gardens across Europe and parts of Asia. Unlike web-building spiders, it actively roams the ground to hunt small insects.
What does Pardosa agrestis look like?
This small spider has a brownish-grey body with a dark central stripe running down the front section. Its most distinguishing feature is a pale, lance-shaped or leaf-like marking on the upper side of its abdomen. Females can be easily recognized when carrying their round, white egg sacs attached to their rear spinnerets, or later when covered in tiny spiderlings.
Is Pardosa agrestis dangerous?
This spider is not dangerous to humans or pets and poses no significant medical threat. If roughly handled or threatened, it may bite in self-defense, but the bite is medically insignificant and typically results in only mild, temporary pain and redness.
Commonly confused with
- Nursery web spider: Nursery web spiders have a similar dark stripe on their head but lack the distinct pale leaf-shaped marking on the abdomen, and females carry their egg sacs in their jaws rather than attached to their spinnerets.
- Larger wolf spiders: Other wolf spiders in the genus Hogna are significantly larger and lack the distinct pale, lance-shaped marking on the abdomen.
What should I do about Pardosa agrestis?
Leave them alone in the garden, as they are excellent natural pest controllers. If one wanders indoors, gently guide it into a cup and release it back outside.