Something unsettling is crawling through homes across Spain. In recent weeks, reports of wolf spiders appearing in gardens and in homes have surged across the country leaving home owners worried, and it's not just one or two wandering in from the garden. Female wolf spiders, many carrying hundreds of tiny spiderlings on their backs, are being spotted in kitchens, bedrooms, and even living rooms. For anyone who stumbles upon this for the first time, the sight can be shocking, even horrifying.
Imagine glancing under a table or along a hallway and seeing a spider, her back wriggling with hundreds of smaller spiders clinging desperately to her body. At first glance, it looks like a moving horror, a writhing cluster of legs and tiny bodies navigating your home. Panic is natural. People grab shoes, glass jars, anything to remove the creature.
Many expats living in Spain have been shocked when trying to relocate a wolf spider. Anne, originally from Dorset (UK) and now living in Murcia, recalls: "I was terrified but tried to move her outside with a glass, and as soon as I lifted her I knocked the glass, hundreds of tiny spiders scattered across the floor. It was like a scene from a horror movie, I didn't know where to start!"
Michael, another British expat in Alhaurín de la Torre (Malaga), shares a similar story: "I froze when I saw her little babies running in every direction I didn't even notice them when I went to move her. At first, I thought it was chaos, but then I realised it was just her offspring clinging for safety. Terrifying but fascinating."
Expert Guidance
Despite the scary situation arachnologists reassure homeowners: "Wolf spiders are completely harmless, even when carrying spiderlings. Their behaviour may look alarming, but it is simply maternal care. Harming them is unnecessary and counterproductive. The best approach is patience and gentle relocation."
What they recommend:
Experts remind us: "These spiders are temporary visitors and are important for controlling insects. They deserve respect, not panic."
Beneath her thin, sometimes worn body is a spider with remarkable maternal instincts. Many of these females have endured hardship, missing a leg or going days without food, but they remain steadfast in their protection of the young. Unlike many spiders, they do not abandon their brood; instead, they carry them everywhere, providing shelter and guidance.
Wolf spider mothers transport their spiderlings on their backs immediately after hatching. The young cling to her body using silk threads, remaining safely tethered as she navigates her surroundings. This unusual behaviour is one of the most striking examples of parental care in the arachnid world.
If a spiderling falls, the mother patiently waits for it to climb back. Her vigilance ensures that even the most vulnerable offspring survive this early stage of life. For these tiny creatures, their mother's back is the safest place they can be. While riding on her mother, the spiderlings gain safety, nourishment, and a protected introduction to the world. She shares her prey among her many children.
Despite their intimidating appearance, wolf spiders are harmless to humans. Bites occur only if the spider feels directly threatened. If a wolf spider is in an unsafe location, she can be moved gently. Place a glass over her, slide a piece of paper underneath, and move her outdoors. If any spiderlings fall, allow them time to climb back before relocating her. This protects the mother and her offspring while keeping humans safe.
The most common "large" wolf spiders in Spain are Lycosa hispanica, Lycosa fasciiventris, Hogna radiata, and Hogna ferox. Identification relies on eye arrangement, ventral markings, and habitat. Some species roam freely, while others live in dens, which can help distinguish between similar-looking spiders.
Wolf spiders are the fourth largest spider family globally. They are intelligent, agile hunters with excellent vision and display distinct personalities influenced by past experiences with mates.
The name "wolf spider" comes from the Greek word Lycos, meaning wolf. Like wolves, they hunt alone, stalking prey with precision and efficiency. Their intelligence and agility make them fascinating predators, but it is their maternal care that is truly extraordinary.
Female wolf spiders demonstrate remarkable maternal care: they carry egg sacs, protect spiderlings, and patiently allow lost offspring to climb back before continuing their journey. This ensure survival of the next generation and the species' unique nurturing instincts.
While they may seem frightening indoors, wolf spiders are beneficial for the ecosystem, naturally controlling insect populations. Their presence in homes is temporary and part of their natural reproductive cycle.
The sight of a female wolf spider with her young may initially trigger alarm and fear, but understanding their behaviour reveals one of nature's most devoted mothers.