Do Wolf Spiders Prey on Black Widow Spiders?

Do Wolf Spiders Eat Black Widows?

Wolf spiders and black widows are two common spiders found throughout North America. Both species are predators that feed on insects and other small invertebrates. This leads some to wonder - will a wolf spider attack and eat a black widow? Keep reading to find out.

Wolf Spiders Will Feed on Black Widows

Wolf spiders are opportunistic predators and will feed on black widows given the chance. The larger size and hunting nature of wolf spiders enables them to overpower and kill widow spiders to eat as prey.

However, wolf spiders do not specifically seek out black widows to eat. They are generalist predators and will feed on any small prey they can capture, including various insects, other spiders, and more.

Wolf Spiders Sometimes Fall Prey to Black Widows

While wolf spiders will readily eat black widow spiders, the reverse can also occur. Female black widow spiders are capable of predation on smaller wolf spiders that get trapped in their webs.

Widows will immobilize an ensnared wolf spider using venom before wrapping it tightly in silk to consume. So wolf spiders also occasionally fall prey to widow spiders as well.

How Do Wolf Spiders Hunt and Kill Black Widows?

Wolf spiders use several key advantages that enable them to hunt and kill black widows:

Superior Size

Wolf spiders are significantly larger than black widows on average. Their bigger mass and legspan allow them to more easily attack, overtake, and kill widows.

Speed and Agility

With their quick speed and reflexes, wolf spiders can pursue black widows with swift, agile movement. This makes it difficult for widows to escape.

Potent Venom

Wolf spider venom rapidly immobilizes and kills black widow prey. Widows succumb quickly to the neurotoxic effects.

Stealth

Wolf spiders are expert stealth hunters, allowing them to strike before widows are aware. Their soft footsteps and camouflage aid surprise attacks.

Defensive Abilities of the Black Widow

Despite being prey, black widows have some defensive capabilities that may aid their survival against wolf spiders:

Poisonous Bite

A black widow bite injects potent neurotoxin that could injure or potentially kill a wolf spider.

Web Refuge

Thick webbing provides effective shelter for black widows to retreat from threats.

Playing Dead

Widows will sometimes feign death by curling up to avoid being seen as prey.

Toxic Warning Colors

Distinct red hourglass markings warn predators of their danger.

However, wolf spiders frequently work around these defenses, relying on stealth, speed, and strength when attacking.

Other Prey Wolf Spiders Consume

While able to take down black widows, wolf spiders are far less picky predators. They will eat a wide variety of small creatures.

Insects

Wolf spiders heavily prey on many types of insects such as:

• Crickets
• Grasshoppers
• Flies
• Mosquitoes
• Moths
• Roaches
• Beetles
• Caterpillars
• Ants
• Bees
• Wasps

Other Spiders

In addition to black widows, wolf spiders will readily feed on other spiders such as:

• Jumping spiders
• Orb weavers
• Cellar spiders
• Crab spiders
• Grass spiders

Other Invertebrates

Wolf spiders also consume a variety of other small invertebrates like:

• Sowbugs
• Millipedes
• Snails
• Earthworms
• Caterpillars
• Maggots

Their generalist diet provides wolf spiders with a flexible source of prey across many habitats.

Benefits of Wolf Spiders

While able to capture black widows, wolf spiders offer several benefits:

Prey on Pest Insects

Wolf spiders reduce populations of harmful insects like roaches, ticks, and mosquitoes around homes.

Free Pest Control

As free-living predators, wolf spiders naturally control pests without the need for toxic chemicals.

Prey on More Dangerous Spiders

By feeding on black widows, recluses, and other venomous spiders, wolf spiders limit more hazardous species.

Reduce Webbing

Wolf spiders consuming web-building spiders like black widows reduces messy webbing inside buildings.

Given these perks, wolf spiders are beneficial by helping control more nuisance or dangerous species.

Coexistence of Wolf Spiders and Black Widows

Despite being predator and prey, wolf spiders and black widows regularly coexist in the same habitats. This is enabled by:

Plentiful Alternative Prey

With copious insect and invertebrate prey available, wolf spiders need not solely target black widows to survive.

Separate Web Habitats

Widows build dense, protected webs while wolf spiders do not, reducing contact between the species.

Mutual Avoidance

Wolf spiders and widows likely sense and steer clear of one another to avoid confrontation when possible.

Reproductive Capacity

Both species produce large numbers of offspring annually, offsetting any predation losses.

This balance of shared space plus avoidance allows their coexistence despite the wolf spider's predatory threat.

Other Black Widow Predators

In addition to wolf spiders, other key black widow predators include:

Mud Dauber Wasps

These wasps stock their nests with paralyzed black widows to feed developing larvae.

Centipedes

Large centipedes overpower black widows using their size and venomous claws.

Tarantulas

Larger tarantula species will readily eat female black widows.

Lizards

Some small lizards feed on black widows, seeming able to resist the venom.

Birds

Insect-eating birds like jays and mockingbirds snatch and eat widows.

Black widows must evade many different natural predators to survive in the wild.

Signs of Wolf Spiders vs. Black Widows

Learning to identify wolf spiders and widows can help know if both inhabit your property. Wolf spider signs include:

• Large, hairy spiders reaching over 1 inch long
• Gray, brown, black, or mixed coloration
• Fast-moving hunting on ground and low vegetation
• No webs - wander freely

Black widow signs include:

• Smaller shiny black spiders under 1 inch
• Obvious red or orange hourglass marking
• Secluded, messy web retreats
• Slow cautious movement

Getting familiar with these identifying traits will help determine if both call your property home.

Managing Wolf Spiders and Widows

If both wolf spider and black widow presence is confirmed, some management tips include:

• Avoid disturbing known black widow retreats
• Seal cracks/crevices that allow access
• Clear clutter to reduce hiding spots
• Install yellow bulbs which attract fewer insects
• Use sticky traps for roaming wolf spiders
• Inspect before reaching blindly under objects

Learning to coexist cautiously with the wildlife around your home leads to greater harmony with nature.

The Complex Food Web

As top invertebrate predators, wolf spiders and black widows represent just one dynamic interplay within the vast food web. Their complex give-and-take highlights the intricacy of ecological balance.

While frightening to some, these spiders fill vital roles controlling pests and reminding us that we share space with wildlife around our homes. Each small thread contributes to the diverse tapestry of the natural world.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.