Name that originally referred to a species of southern European spider ( Lycosa tarentula ) but now refers to more than 175 spider species (family Lycosidae) found in North America, Europe, and north of the Arctic Circle.
The body of L. tarentula , the largest species, is about 1 in. (2.5 cm) long. Most species have a long, broad, hairy brown body; stout, long legs; and strong, prominent jaws. Wolf spiders chase and pounce upon their prey, hunting mostly at night. Most species build a silk-lined, tubular nest in the ground, which they dig with their heavy front legs. A few species spin webs. The bite of L. tarentula produces no ill effects in humans.