Summary
Wolf spiders have two huge headlight eyes; hobos have eight small, roughly equal eyes in two rows. Wolves do not build webs; hobos build funnel sheets.
Diagnostic traits
| Trait | Hobo Spider | Wolf Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes | 8 small, two rows of 4 | 8 in 3 rows; two very large |
| Web | Funnel sheet with tunnel | No prey web |
| Body | 10–14 mm, slim | 10–35 mm, robust and hairy |
| Behavior | Sits in funnel retreat | Active ground hunter |
The bottom line
At-a-glance comparison
| Hobo Spider | Wolf Spider | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific | Eratigena agrestis | Lycosidae (family overview) |
| Family | Agelenidae | Lycosidae |
| ♀ body | 11–15 mm | 10–35 mm |
| Leg span | 27–45 mm | 25–80 mm |
| Range | 7 U.S. states | 1 U.S. states |
| Medical | Low | Low |