Venatrix furcillata
Little Striped Wolf Spider Identification in Australia
Black-brown Australian wolf spider with cream striping, ground-running hunting behaviour and a simple burrow entrance.
Usually low riskLittle striped wolf spiders are active eastern Australian wolf spiders often noticed on lawns, garden paths, forest floors and bare ground. Venatrix furcillata is useful to compare when a compact black-brown ground spider has a pale central stripe, cream markings, strong forward-facing eyes and no capture web.
Quick identification
- Black-brown wolf spider with dull cream markings
- Cream outline and central stripe on the front body, often continuing onto the abdomen
- Fast ground hunter rather than a web sitter
- Found in south-east Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, often near lawns, gardens, forest, woodland or grassland ground
What to check next
Check for the pale stripe, ground-running behaviour and no capture web. Compare with garden wolf spiders, generic wolf spiders and white-tailed spiders if the body stripe or tail mark is unclear.
When to seek medical help
This spider is not usually considered dangerous. Clean any bite, use a cold pack for pain, and seek medical advice for severe pain, allergic symptoms, infection signs, spreading symptoms or uncertainty.
Where it is usually seen
Lawns, gardens, forest floor, woodland, grassland, open ground, simple ground burrows and occasional indoor floors in south-east Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.