Knowledgebase
spider ID help - wolf spider? (San Diego, CA) #433732
Asked November 04, 2017, 6:56 PM EDT
San Diego County California
Expert Response
Dear Client,
The key character used in spider identification is the arrangement of the eyes on top/front of the spider. The light shinning up from under the spider was a nice touch, but if that light had been shinning down on top of the spider, I would be far more confident in my diagnosis. I agree that your spider has the right features that it is probably one of many species of wolf spiders-- Lycosidae family. I base my diagnosis on the overall shape of the abdomen, leg orientation, "racing stripes" on the thorax and abdomen, striped legs, large pedipalps, and features of the carapace.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_spider
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1967
I hope these resources and diagnosis to spider family is of some help.