An atypical macro of Hogna helluo, the second largest Wolf Spider in the US, body length just under 1 inch/2.5cm. The Carolina Wolf Spider is the largest with the body being up to 1.4 inches/3.55cm long. Note that Hogna carolinensis is just the family name - it's widespread throughout the US as well. I just wrapped up some macros of this unexpected visitor in front of my house late last night. I noticed movement on the walkway from the driveway to the front porch while letting out the dog for his last visit outside.

This was all manual focus since it was so dark. I used a mini-Maglite set on the ground about 1 foot away to give me enough light to MF the subject. It can be a hit or miss proposition in these conditions to nail the eyes in focus correctly. Here goes... first image on the driveway, using tripod, cabled remote, extension cable and HSS on the flash. Settings were F/11, 1/1000 sec., ISO 100, EV 0, M mode. Yes, one of her eyes is damaged - the leftmost of the right side of the head.

Female Wolf Spider (Hogna helluo) with her baby spiders (aka "spiderlings"):


Crop:


Link to another image, but cropped even tighter to show the spiderlings - about 50% of actual size on my screen:


Link to EXIF


I took several shots then placed mom in a less stressful spot with all of her babies on a wood tree stump with some rocks - a normal habitat for more than a few kinds of wolf spider. She felt so at home and stress free that she started to clean herself!! One baby crawled around for a short stint on her body....

Normal X-sync mode at F/16, 1/180 sec., tripod, cabled remote, extension cable from hot shoe to flash:

Link to EXIF

The good news is that they will only bite if repeatedly provoked and cornered. Wolf spider bites normally result in localized swelling and some pain - that's it.

Hopefully those who don't like spiders will sleep well tonight...

Regards,
Marc

Plus 8, plus 8 plus 8

That is what my 6 year old was saying when she was trying to count how many spider legs were on the back of that spider.

We just found a big dead wolf spider on the patio, so the girls were very interested in this pic.

Thanks

[jem]

Wow... I remember these beasties all the way back when I was very small - used to creep me out. I didn't realize at the time it was a momma and her brood.

Thanks for sharing the terrific captures and solving a long forgotten mystery of my childhood!

Best,
John

[Marc Langille]

Hi Gus,

Nice counting job by the girls...

The Carolina variety (Hogna carolinensis) is pretty much uniform dark brown all over. Just in case people miss it, the Carolina variety is larger, but still widespread throughout the US. The definitive difference if the size cannot be easily determined: there is no light brown medial stripe along the top of it's head as you see in these images of Hogna helluo.

Regards,
Marc

[photolady95]

I don't mind photos of them, but normally in front or close to me alive, no way jose. I can't stand spiders. One of my sisters is deathly afraid of them, even fake spiders freak her out.

These are excellent shots Marc. Well, done sir.

[fadzil karim]

simply awesome shots Marc. Love the details

[Jimbo]

That is just to crazy to look at. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Well done Marc. JIM

[Heinrich Lohmann]

Very, very nice especially the last one. thanks for posting them Marc.

[cupic]

I love the cleaness of it and composure to match

cheers

[Marc Langille]

Wow... I remember these beasties all the way back when I was very small - used to creep me out. I didn't realize at the time it was a momma and her brood.

Thanks for sharing the terrific captures and solving a long forgotten mystery of my childhood!

Best,
John

My honor John and glad I could solve some of the mysteries of being a Wolf Spider mom...

I don't mind photos of them, but normally in front or close to me alive, no way jose. I can't stand spiders. One of my sisters is deathly afraid of them, even fake spiders freak her out.

These are excellent shots Marc. Well, done sir.

Thank you m'lady!

Regards,
Marc

[Marc Langille]

simply awesome shots Marc. Love the details

Fadzil, much appreciated and glad to know that you enjoyed these images!

That is just to crazy to look at. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Well done Marc. JIM

You are not crazy Jim! I was really stoked to capture this series, no question. Did your family look at them?

Regards,
Marc

[Jimbo]

You are not crazy Jim! I was really stoked to capture this series, no question. Did your family look at them?

My daughter did and she was as shocked as me. I think the word she used was "COOL", is that real or made up! That is one unbelievealbe image Marc. WELL DONE and with my lens I bet?? [oops] JIM

[Marc Langille]

Very, very nice especially the last one. thanks for posting them Marc.

Thank you Heinrich - she was definitely a good mother in terms of trying to avoid potential harm to her spiderlings.

I love the cleaness of it and composure to match

cheers

Nick, I appreciate the comments and take care!

Regards,
Marc

[Douglas_of_Sweden]

This is one fantastic shot Marc! You are an inspiration!
Are you using a 540 flash with diffuser rather than a ring macro flash?

Young single mother taking good care of her children despite her handicap!

Or think about the morning routines in this familly! Up you go, all of you, hurry up, we got to go to kindergarden and school so mother can work (hunt). Number 12, don't step on your sisters, and you number 5, hurry up, you can eat the rest of your father when we get back home...

Plus 8, plus 8 plus 8

That is what my 6 year old was saying when she was trying to count how many spider legs were on the back of that spider.

We just found a big dead wolf spider on the patio, so the girls were very interested in this pic.

Thanks

So now she knows what the eight multiplication table is good for
(Fourth are for mamals, Fifth for fingers and toes, Sixth are for insects, but what is the 7th good for?)

[xhanatos]

daaaaamn. My skin crawled.

I absolutely love your macros Marc!