13 Types of Wolf Spiders in California
13 types of wolf spiders have a verified observation record in California. The most frequently recorded are Koch's Wolf Spider, McCook's Split Wolf Spider and Shoreline Wolf Spider. Here is the full list, ranked by how often each is reported on iNaturalist.
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13 types of wolf spiders have a verified observation record in California. The most frequently recorded are Koch's Wolf Spider, McCook's Split Wolf Spider and Shoreline Wolf Spider. Here is the full list, ranked by how often each is reported on iNaturalist.
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Verified species, source iNaturalist
13 types of wolf spiders recorded in California
13 wolf spider species have a verified observation record in California, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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Schizocosa maxima
Schizocosa maxima
427 records - No openly licensed photo yet5
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Varacosa gosiuta
Varacosa gosiuta
40 records - No openly licensed photo yet8
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Also recorded in California
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Shiny Wolf SpiderPardosa moesta | Pardosa moesta | 14 |
Plus 16 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
The Koch's Wolf Spider (Alopecosa kochi) is the most commonly recorded, with 7,188 verified observations, about 60% of all wolf spiders reported in California. If you spot a wolf spider here, it is statistically most likely to be this one.
California also hosts less common wolf spiders such as Varacosa gosiuta, Pirate Otter Spider and Geolycosa gosoga, each recorded fewer than 100 times. These are the species worth a second look when you are out, since a sighting is more notable.