The wolf spider...

Wolf spiders are very common in the continental United States and particularly easy to spot at night when light reflects from their eyes. With the use of a headlight, collecting these spiders at night can be a rewarding adventure. As we head outdoors to look for spiders, these commonly found spiders are the Spider of the Week.

As an active hunter, the wolf spider relies heavily on its visual acuity. Wolf spiders have a unique arrangement of eyes. A row of four, small anterior eyes are followed by a row of four posterior eyes. The median eyes, two from each row, are quite large and identifiable. To capture their prey, these spiders rely on stealth rather than their webs, ambushing, or actively stalking their prey. Some wolf spiders have perfected the hunt -- constructing, then hiding in their silk-lined burrows, waiting for just the right moment.

How many species? Approximately 3,000 In your backyard? Nearly 200 species north of the Rio Grande Around the world? Found on every continent, except Antarctica

The large eyes...